Merchant Navy marine Epaulettes – Third Officer

Merchant Navy Marine Epaulettes – Second Officer

Second Officer Epaulettes – Premium quality velvet black epaulettes, accepted by all major shipping companies.

• ✔High-quality velvet fabric delivers a rich black contrast on white shirts.
• ✔Reinforced with strong, durable hard-lining material.
• ✔Velvet layer naturally adds stiffness and structure.
• ✔Fully washable and retains shape after every wash.
• ✔Superior build quality compared to conventional epaulettes.

Dieselship offers epaulettes / insignia / shoulder boards for all Merchant Navy ranks.

Browse the full collection here: Epaulettes Collection

Interesting Facts About Epaulettes

History

Epaulettes trace their origins to the decorative shoulder ribbons worn on military coats in the late 17th century. These ribbons prevented shoulder belts from slipping and eventually evolved into the classic epaulette with fringe, popular through the 18th and 19th centuries.

By the 18th century, epaulettes were widely used to identify rank in European armies. The shoulder worn (left, right, or both) indicated rank and duties. Later, simplified versions such as counter-epaulettes emerged, made using materials ranging from gold and silver to coloured fabrics.

During the Napoleonic era, epaulettes became a formal marker of commissioned rank. Specialized units also adopted unique colours and fringe patterns.Some branches even used metal shoulder scales, though rarely for field use.

In traditions like the Russian Army, the epaulette eventually evolved into the modern, simplified shoulder board used today.

Modern Derivations

Modern uniforms now mostly use five-sided shoulder boards or flat cloth shoulder marks, making it easy to attach or replace rank insignia.

Airline pilots also use tubular cloth epaulettes, with stripe patterns indicating rank — four for captain, three for first officer, and two for second officer—although stripe systems may vary by airline.