These epaulettes represent a fascinating chapter in Prussian uniform history and illustrate the close integration between military and civil rank insignia in the German Empire. These special shoulder pieces were worn by a Police Commissioner holding the rank equivalent to a lieutenant and conform to the specifications introduced in 1898.
The Prussian police of the late 19th century was strongly organized along military lines and clearly oriented its hierarchy and uniforms toward the army. Following the reforms of the 1870s and 1880s, the police received an increasingly paramilitary structure, with rank designations and insignia frequently adopted directly from the military sphere. A Police Commissioner ranked at the officer grade of lieutenant, which was reflected in the design of his epaulettes.
The characteristic features of these epaulettes are remarkable in several respects. The crimson fields were typical for Prussian police officials and distinguished them from the army, where different branch colors were used. The applied Prussian coat of arms – the Prussian eagle – symbolized the authority of the state and membership in the Royal Prussian administration. The pressed golden crescents were a classic element of epaulette design and gave the insignia a three-dimensional quality.
Particularly characteristic are the golden braids with blue stripes. This color combination was typical for the Prussian police and served to distinguish them from purely military epaulettes. The blue stripes in the golden braids were a clear identifying feature for police officials and were manufactured strictly according to regulations. The crimson cloth backing formed the base for the elaborate handwork required in the production of such rank insignia.
The reform of 1898 brought various changes to uniform regulations. Emperor Wilhelm II, who had a particular interest in military and uniform matters, had uniform regulations revised multiple times during his reign. The 1898 specifications further standardized the appearance of police uniforms and created clearer distinctions between different ranks.
The manufacture of such epaulettes was an art in itself and was carried out by specialized military equipment manufacturers. Companies such as C.G. Haenel in Suhl, A. Schuyler, Hartmann & Sohn, or B. Henckel in Berlin were well-known manufacturers of militaria and police equipment. The epaulettes were made by elaborate handwork, with the golden braids consisting of genuine metal wire or gilded material. The quality of workmanship was an indicator of the wearer's status.
The use of epaulettes had a long tradition in Prussia, dating back to the 18th century. Originally serving the practical purpose of preventing shoulder straps from slipping, they quickly evolved into pure rank insignia. By the late 19th century, epaulettes were an indispensable part of the parade uniform and were worn at official occasions, ceremonies, and inspections.
The slight wear on the described epaulettes suggests that they were primarily used on special occasions. In everyday service, police officials often wore simpler shoulder straps, while the elaborate epaulettes were reserved for the full dress uniform. This distinction between service and parade uniforms was typical of the Prussian administration and reflected the importance of representation and ceremony in the Imperial era.
The significance of such rank insignia went far beyond their decorative function. They were visible signs of authority and the hierarchical order that characterized the Prussian-German state system. For the wearer, they symbolized not only his rank but also his responsibility and position within the state order. The careful maintenance and correct wearing of such insignia were part of the code of honor of a Prussian official.
With the end of World War I and the collapse of the monarchy in 1918, these epaulettes lost their official significance. The Weimar Republic introduced new uniform regulations that were more oriented toward republican values. Nevertheless, the imperial rank insignia remained significant as collector's items and historical testimonies, documenting today a bygone era of German history.
