Shoulder Boards Identification

[mdwinters]

Greetings! I was hoping someone here might be able to identify some shoulder boards that have been passed down through my family. They are said to have come from ancestors who fought in the Franco Prussian War. Any information that can be provided to identify the 5 boards would be most appreciated. Thanks so much!

Mike

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1xrm...ew?usp=sharing

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Gnk...ew?usp=sharing

https://drive.google.com/file/d/19UK...ew?usp=sharing

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1SLw...ew?usp=sharing

https://drive.google.com/file/d/11YX...ew?usp=sharing

[Claudius]

I would like to see the reverses, but they all look original and to be some nice examples!

[mdwinters]

Thanks!

Thank you! Yes, they have been in my family for over a hundred years but I have never been able to determine who they belonged to and which branches or units they represent. I know of at least two of my great grandfathers who supposedly fought for Germany in the Franco Prussian War so I would like to be able to see if I can use these to identify in what capacity they served.

Take care!

Mike

[Alan Wilson]

Your boards and straps are original. Nice examples. Congrats in having your family's history preserved.

5. Westfalisches Infanterie-Regiment Nr. 53 enlisted Mantel (0vercoat) strap
5. Westfalisches IR Nr. 53 Oberleutnant board
5. Rheinisches Infanterie-Regiment Nr. 65 enlisted Mantel (overcoat) strap
5. Westfalisches IR Nr. 53 enlisted shoulder strap
2. Kurhessisches Feldartillerie-Reiment Nr. 47 enlisted shoulder strap

Mike

[Chip M]

I agree with Mike's identifications for the most part, but I am sure that none of these shoulder straps date from the Franco Prussian war. The patterns and construction would put them in the late 1880's to the early 1900's period. For instance, infantry regiment 53 was not awarded the crown for their shoulder straps until 1888 and field artillery regiment 49 was raised in 1899.