''Ryttmästare'' (from the German word ''

Rittmeister Rittmaster () is usually a commissioned officer military rank used in a few armies, usually equivalent to Captain. Historically it has been used in Germany, Austria-Hungary, Scandinavia, and some other countries. A is typically in charge of a s ...

'') was a

military rank Military ranks is a system of hierarchy, hierarchical relationships within armed forces, police, Intelligence agency, intelligence agencies, paramilitary groups, and other institutions organized along military organisation , military lines, such ...

in the Swedish cavalry in the

Swedish Army The Swedish Army () is the army, land force of the Swedish Armed Forces of the Kingdom of Sweden. Beginning with its service in 1521, the Swedish Army has been active for more than 500 years. History Svea Life Guards dates back to the year 1 ...

. The rank corresponded to the rank of

captain Captain is a title, an appellative for the commanding officer of a military unit; the supreme leader or highest rank officer of a navy ship, merchant ship, aeroplane, spacecraft, or other vessel; or the commander of a port, fire or police depa ...

in other service branches. The rank was abolished in 1972.

History

The

of ''ryttmästare'' as a designation for the rank of

had been used since the 16th century. The name was then used for the commander of a company of riders (several of them were usually part of a squadron). later became squadron commander. Since the 17th century it was the title for a company officer of the highest rank in the Swedish cavalry with position between

lieutenant A lieutenant ( , ; abbreviated Lt., Lt, LT, Lieut and similar) is a Junior officer, junior commissioned officer rank in the armed forces of many nations, as well as fire services, emergency medical services, Security agency, security services ...

and

major Major most commonly refers to: * Major (rank), a military rank * Academic major, an academic discipline to which an undergraduate student formally commits * People named Major, including given names, surnames, nicknames * Major and minor in musi ...

(corresponding to the rank of captain in other branches). A 1967 inquiry () considered that the position of as a designation for the rank of captain in the cavalry should be retained as long as the cavalry remained as a service branch in the organization. The rank was abolished after a reform in 1972 ().

Uniform

Field uniform model 1958/1959 – rank structure of 1949

File:OF-2_Kapten.jpg, Collar patch m/58

Uniform model 1939 – rank structure of 1949

File:4_Kapten_Ryttmästare_1939.jpg, Shoulder mark m/39 File:7_Kapten_Ryttmästare_armén_mössmärke_1946.jpg, Badge m/46 to field cap

Uniform model 1939

File:4_Kapten_Ryttmästare_1939.jpg, Shoulder mark m/39 File:7_Kapten_Ryttmästare_armén_mössmärke_1940.jpg, Badge m/40 to field cap

Uniform model 1923

File:9_Kapten_axelklaff_m1923.jpg, Shoulder mark on greatcoat File:9_Kapten_Ryttmästare_krage_1923.jpg, Collar patch File:9_Kapten_Ryttmästare_mössa_m1923.jpg, Cap m/23

Uniform model 1910

File:9_Kapten_Ryttmästare_axelträns_m1910.jpg, Shoulder mark m/10 File:5_Kapten_Ryttmästare_armén_mössmärke_1914.jpg, Badge m/14 for fur cap File:5_Kapten_Ryttmästare_armén_hatt_m1910-14.jpg, Badge m/10-14 for hat

Uniform model 1906

File:7_Kapten_Ryttmästare_armén_ärm_1906.jpg, Sleeve insignia m/1906

Other

File:Kappa m1872 ryttmästare officer K1.jpg, Coat m/1872 for a in the

Life Guards of Horse Life Guards of Horse (, K 1) was a Swedish Army cavalry regiment, first raised in 1770. It saw service for two centuries, before being amalgamated with the Life Regiment Dragoons (K 2) to form the Life Regiment of Horse (K 1) in 1928. History ...

(K 1). File:Kollett m1871 för ryttmästare.jpg, ''Kollett'' m/1871 for a in the Life Guards of Horse (K 1). File:Dolma m1895 ryttmästare.jpg,

Dolman A dolman is either a military shirt, or a jacket decorated with braiding, first worn by Hungarian hussars. The word is of Turkish origin, and after being adopted into Hungarian, has propagated to other languages. The garment was worn by peasants ...

m/1895 for a in the Life Regiment Hussars (K 3).

References

{{Reflist Military ranks of the Swedish Army sv:Ryttmästare