Purchasing commissions!

[lawrence_n]

OK, maybe a somewhat strange questions, but does anyone know if the purchasing of commissions was practiced by the German or German states military as it was in England? We all know (I assume) that wealthy or noble families could purchase commissions for their young heirs. Wellington bemoaned the fact that he had "coffee house fops" sloughed off on him during his campaign and a regiment could find itself saddled with some young nobleman totally incompetent in military matters. My reason for this thread is the mystery sword I have posted in the blades forum. Given it's dimensions and German states origin, it's entirely possible that it was a commissioned sword for a boy officer. Anyone?

Information

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[Patrick Chadwick]

This is a "negative proof":

The German word for an officer's commission in use in the period of interest was "Offizierspatent". If I search for "Offizierspatent kaufen" (i.e. "buy a commission") then I get plenty of references to the British army. But I haven't found any reference to commissions being openly sold in any German states. Draw your own conclusions!

Of course, this did not not rule out "Vitamin C" (connections), favoritism, opportune political decisions, and "you promote my boy and I'll promote yours" wheeling and dealing. But at least they did not openly offer commissions at a price to anyone who had the money.

A cynic could argue that the British were merely being brutally honest about something that, in a disguised fashion, was widespread in many countries at the time.

[lawrence_n]

This is a "negative proof":

The German word for an officer's commission in use in the period of interest was "Offizierspatent". If I search for "Offizierspatent kaufen" (i.e. "buy a commission") then I get plenty of references to the British army. But I haven't found any reference to commissions being openly sold in any German states. Draw your own conclusions!

Of course, this did not not rule out "Vitamin C" (connections), favoritism, opportune political decisions, and "you promote my boy and I'll promote yours" wheeling and dealing. But at least they did not openly offer commissions at a price to anyone who had the money.

A cynic could argue that the British were merely being brutally honest about something that, in a disguised fashion, was widespread in many countries at the time.

Thank you! Not that I think this was uniquely British practice, but your information may rule out one avenue of speculation and research regarding the sword. It puts me back to the speculation that the sword was likely commissioned by an officer of more slight stature who may have relied on speed and skill to counter a larger opponent with a bigger sword.