WW1 Imperial German 18th Infantry Feldgrau Shoulder Board Insignia Single

The WW1 Imperial German 18th Infantry Feldgrau Shoulder Board Insignia is an original single shoulder board used by the German army during the First World War. Constructed in feldgrau (field grey) wool, this shoulder board was issued to enlisted ranks or non-commissioned officers in the 18th Infantry Regiment. The board features the regiment number “18” applied in contrasting colored thread or cloth, stitched onto the upper surface. The board’s construction reflects period methods, utilizing a sturdy backing and appropriate stitching techniques of the era. Shoulder boards like this served as a key part of unit identification within the Imperial German Army, indicating both regiment and rank. They were typically fastened to the tunic at the shoulder seam. The feldgrau color became standard issue from 1915 onwards as the German military shifted away from brightly colored uniforms in favor of more subdued tones for camouflage and practicality on the battlefield.