{"product_id":"saxon-major-shoulder-boards-pair-infantry-regiment-103-grand-duke-of-baden-original","title":"Saxon Major Shoulder Boards Pair Infantry Regiment 103 Grand Duke of Baden Original","description":"\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\"\u003eOriginal matched pair of Imperial German field-grade officer shoulder boards (\u003cem\u003eSchulterstücke\u003c\/em\u003e) for a \u003cem\u003eMajor\u003c\/em\u003e of the \u003cem\u003e4. Königlich Sächsisches Infanterie-Regiment Nr. 103 Großherzog Friedrich II. von Baden\u003c\/em\u003e, the Royal Saxon Infantry Regiment Nr. 103 garrisoned at Bautzen and bearing as its regimental \u003cem\u003eInhaber\u003c\/em\u003e (honorary chief) Grand Duke Friedrich II of Baden. The pair is executed in the standard field-grade officer pattern of interwoven flat silver bullion cord on a red wool underlay, with applied gilt regimental cyphers identifying the unit and a brass disc-form attachment button at the shoulder end characteristic of staff and field-grade officer construction.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\"\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\"\u003eEach board is constructed in the regulation Imperial German \u003cem\u003eStabsoffizier\u003c\/em\u003e (field officer) configuration. The base is a shaped red wool underlay cut to the standard rectangular form with a rounded shoulder end. Sewn over the underlay is the field-grade officer plait — a flat interwoven braid of multiple thin silver bullion strands laid in the characteristic herringbone pattern that distinguishes the field-grade rank group (\u003cem\u003eMajor\u003c\/em\u003e, \u003cem\u003eOberstleutnant\u003c\/em\u003e, \u003cem\u003eOberst\u003c\/em\u003e) from the doubled-cord plait of the subaltern officer group. The plait runs the full length of the board. At the shoulder end of each board, a circular brass disc functions as the attachment anchor that engaged the corresponding tunic loop and shoulder strap closure. Applied to the center of each board is the gilt Arabic numeral \u003cem\u003e103\u003c\/em\u003e in the elegant period typeface used for regimental cyphers, identifying the wearer's unit at a glance. The absence of rank pips on the boards establishes the rank as \u003cem\u003eMajor\u003c\/em\u003e; \u003cem\u003eOberstleutnant\u003c\/em\u003e (Lieutenant Colonel) wore one pip on the plait, and \u003cem\u003eOberst\u003c\/em\u003e (Colonel) wore two.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\"\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\"\u003eThe historical position of the regiment is significant. The \u003cem\u003e4. Königlich Sächsisches Infanterie-Regiment Nr. 103\u003c\/em\u003e traced its lineage to a 1709 Saxon establishment and was reformed in its modern numbered configuration in 1867 from the consolidation of the 3rd and 4th Saxon Infantry Battalions. From 1877 the regimental headquarters was permanently established at Bautzen in eastern Saxony. The regiment received its honorific designation \u003cem\u003eGroßherzog Friedrich II. von Baden\u003c\/em\u003e in honor of Grand Duke Friedrich II of Baden (1857 to 1928), who served as the regimental \u003cem\u003eInhaber\u003c\/em\u003e or honorary chief from 1907 until the end of the monarchy in 1918. Within the Imperial German order of battle, the regiment formed part of the 45th Infantry Brigade, 23rd (1st Royal Saxon) Division of the XII (I. Royal Saxon) Army Corps headquartered at Dresden, the senior corps command of the Royal Saxon Army contingent. The regiment served on active campaign throughout the 1914 to 1918 period across multiple sectors of the Western Front.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\"\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\"\u003eThe construction of the boards is fully consistent with original-period Saxon and Prussian-pattern officer manufacture. The flat herringbone bullion plait shows the dense, even weave produced by experienced military tailors working from regulation patterns, with the silver bullion oxidized to a soft grey tone with localized greenish verdigris bloom from the underlying brass core wires of the bullion thread reacting through the silver wash. This greenish bloom within the bullion is a normal aging characteristic of original Imperial German officer bullion work and is not corrosion of the silver itself. The red wool underlay extends beyond the plait on all sides, creating the visible red border that identified the regimental affiliation. The gilt \u003cem\u003e103\u003c\/em\u003e cyphers retain the majority of their original gilding with light wear at high points. The brass attachment discs at the shoulder ends are intact on both boards. The reverses show the red wool backing in good condition, with the integral attachment loop of bent brass wire intact at the shoulder end of each board and the small woven tab at the lower end through which the securing thread passed when the boards were mounted on the tunic. Light wear and minor thread loss at the lower attachment tabs is visible on both boards.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\"\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\"\u003eFor the collector, original Imperial German field-grade officer shoulder boards in matched named-regiment pairs with intact bullion work, original gilt cyphers, and complete attachment hardware are among the most desirable categories of Imperial German insignia. Saxon material in particular carries distinct collecting value within the Collect-by-State framework, as Saxon insignia surfaces less frequently than Prussian equivalents, and \u003cem\u003eGroßherzog Friedrich II. von Baden\u003c\/em\u003e boards are notable both for the named-regiment association and for the cross-state historical link to the Grand Duchy of Baden through the regimental \u003cem\u003eInhaber\u003c\/em\u003e. \u003cem\u003eMajor\u003c\/em\u003e-rank boards represent a senior battalion-command grade, and the configuration suggests the wearer commanded one of the regiment's three battalions or held a senior staff position within the regimental establishment. The pair is suitable for installation on a corresponding Saxon officer \u003cem\u003eWaffenrock\u003c\/em\u003e during restoration work, for standalone display as a documented field-grade officer insignia pair, or as a featured rank- and unit-attributed reference set within a serious Imperial German officer collection.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\"\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\"\u003eCondition is consistent with the age and service history of the pair. The flat silver bullion plait retains good overall integrity with no significant unraveling or losses to the herringbone weave on either board. The silver shows even oxidation with the characteristic verdigris bloom at the deeper recesses of the plait noted above, a normal feature of original Imperial German officer bullion work. The red wool underlay retains strong color across both boards with light surface wear and minor scattered nap loss consistent with extended period service and storage. The gilt \u003cem\u003e103\u003c\/em\u003e cyphers are intact and securely mounted with most of the original gilt finish retained. The brass attachment discs at the shoulder ends are intact on both boards. The integral brass wire loops on the reverses are intact and functional. No moth damage, repairs, or restoration are observed. The pair displays as an honest matched original.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Derrittmeister Militaria Group","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":49480704491759,"sku":"23-134","price":635.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0662\/9169\/5855\/files\/23-234_2.jpg?v=1777589177","url":"https:\/\/derrittmeister.com\/products\/saxon-major-shoulder-boards-pair-infantry-regiment-103-grand-duke-of-baden-original","provider":"Derrittmeister Militaria Group","version":"1.0","type":"link"}