Description
PRUSSIA – SHOULDER BOARDS – LEUTNANT – MARINE INFANTERIE-BATAILLON NR 26.
This is an unusual pair of shoulder boards for a Leutnant who was attached to Marine-Infanterie-Bataillon Nr 26. The Marine-Infanterie was a replacement for the three See-Bataillone, which had been based in Kiel, Wilhelmshaven, and China prior to WW I. As the war ramped up, several units of Marine-Infanterie, Marine-Artillerie, and even Marine Jastas were formed. These units saw extensive service in Flanders, where some of the war’s bloodiest fighting took place. With the expansion of the Marine-Infanterie, THREE Marine-Infanterie Divisions eventually were assigned to Flanders totaling 70,000 men.
These thin Marine-Infanterie-Bataillon Nr 26 shoulder boards measure 1” x 4.75,” and are similar in size to those one sees on a Husaren Attila. They feature silver bullion ropes that sport the black chevrons that confirm its status as a Prussian unit. Each board displays its Bataillon’s unit number “26,” rendered in gold-toned brass. The reverse indicates that these are the slip-on variety of shoulder boards, which is unusual for a junior officer. They display the blue backing typical for naval shoulder boards.
This is our first offering of Marine-Infanterie-Bataillon shoulder boards. Previously, we have only offered those for the Seebataillon.
