Inhaber

Inhaber, or Proprietor, was a term used in the Habsburg military to denote special honors extended to a noble or aristocrat. The Habsburg army was organized on principles developed for the feudal armies in which regiments were raised by a wealthy noble, called the Inhaber (proprietor) who also acted as honorary colonel. Originally, he raised the regiment, funded its needs, and received a portion of its revenue, which might be plunder or loot. He also shared in its shame or its honors.

Within the Prussian Army, Bavarian Army and other German armies, the title was Regimentschef (English: Regimental Chief). The Imperial Russian military adopted a similar system. In the United Kingdom there is a similar honorary title called colonel-in-chief.