Need Shoulder board help...

[Mike Dunn]

Got this today and have no idea what it was for. Anyone out there have a clue? Is it Russian?? Thanks, Mike

[Rick Research]

That is a M1866 shoulder board, as worn until 1888.

The Prussian shield and eagle suggest Beamter of some type-- but they should have "flower petal" rosettes and not line officer pips.

Also, I would think, but am not sure, that the narrow green stripes would denote SAXON.

I don't recognize the gold top either... and it's on dark green base?

My suspicion would be some sort of CUSTOMS, BORDER GUARD, or POLICE, maybe... and possibly later than 1888 for that type of formation.

Do the devices that are on there look like they BELONG on there? No other holes, no "shadow" from different devices?

For comparison, here's a "M1866" pair worn by a Naval garrison administration branch official equivalent to an Oberleutnant. Note the red-white-black "Imperial" stripes and device crown. The navy only wore these 1874-88. Note the rosette rank pip.

[Tom Y]

Hi, Mike,
It's Prussian. I think either diplomatic or police.

[Vadim K]

I also think these pips do not belong there, perhaps they were added by someone later to replace the original old-style pips? They even appear out of place, newer than the shoulder board itself.

[Brian S]

What about late war and someone getting drafted? Someone who already had a uniform and then was drafted in and wore his own uniform with new shoulderboard items?