saxcob

Here is a staff captain promotion certicate for the Hessian mercennary Johann Konrad Schraidt dated 25 may 1781.

It is signed by Frederick II, Landgrave of Hesse-Kassel from 1760 to 1785 who raised money by renting soldiers (called "Hessians") to Great Britain to help fight the American Revolutionary War.

His military career is quite well recorded:

http://www.lagis-hessen.de/en/subjects/xsrec/id/18572/current/57/page/3/sn/hetrina?q=YToxOntzOjg6InNpZ25hdHVyIjtzOjEwOiIxNSBOci4gMzUzIjt9

However, the record stops in 1783 and we do not know whether he returned to Hesse or what happened to him.

I am afraid there was no real chance to save money. The unit just had "29" in the place of the "L" before 1913 (example for a captain/Rittmeister attached). Since Luitpold was just a prince regent (for both the mad kings Ludwig and Otto) his "L" would not have been entitled to wear the royal crown...

...I think the "L" actually stands for king Ludwig III. who took over in 1913. Here is an example for a Colonel.