{"product_id":"original-german-wwii-grade-i-luftwaffe-air-force-marksmanship-lanyard-3","title":"Original German WWII Grade I Luftwaffe Air Force Marksmanship Lanyard","description":"\u003cp\u003eOriginal Item: Only One Available. As with all countries, the German Wehrmacht (armed forces) spent a considerable amount of time training how to improve the accuracy of firing their small arms. An award was developed to recognize individuals who excelled in shooting. The Marksmanship lanyard was instituted on June 29th of 1936 through an executive order signed by AH. The shooting lanyard award was attached to the uniform by placing one of the loops on the button of the shoulder board and the other end on the button of the jacket.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe initial award was issued without any acorns, and every time the award was earned again, an additional acorn was added to the loop opposite to the insignia. The award was authorized to be worn by personnel beneath the rank of officer. There were many additional grades, which resulted in different color badges and acorns.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe design of the shooting award consisted of a lanyard with thick braided strings, with an overall length of about 16 inches. One end has a loop made of a single strand of string while the other end caps in an oval shape holding a badge. This section also has a loop on the end. The backs of the lanyards are sometimes lined with felt, rayon, or silk.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAs with many other awards, different versions were issued by the three branches of the Wehrmacht, intended to coordinate with the colors and symbols used on the rest of their awards. The different versions for the three main branches were as follows:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e- Heer Army - The entire lanyard is silver bullion covered, with the badge at the top being a shield with a Heer \"closed wing\" eagle on it on the 1st Pattern, while the second pattern changed to badge showing a shield with crossed swords with the Eagle above, and a wreath around the circumference.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e- Luftwaffe Air Force \u003c\/strong\u003e- The lanyard is made from Luftwaffe blue gray cord, which has bullion threads woven into the design. The badge is an oak leaf wreath with a Luftwaffe Eagle in the center.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e- Kriegsmarine Navy - The lanyard is made from blue rayon covered cord, and the badge is a gold \"fouled anchor\" on a large device, surrounded by an oak leaf wreath.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThere were additional versions issued in much smaller numbers., such as those specifically for Panzertruppen armored forces.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis is an excellent condition Luftwaffe Air Force Marksmanship Lanyard, Grade 1 (No Acorns), which shows only light wear to the cords, and no fraying or repairs we can see. The felt padding on the back of the badge area is still intact, showing no major damage, and both the top and bottom loops are still present. Measures approximately 16 inches in overall length.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAn excellent condition WWII Luftwaffe Marksmanship lanyard! Ready to display! We have only had a few of these before, and they are much harder to find than the more common Heer Army version.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe German Armed Forces Badge for Weapons Proficiency (German: Schützenschnur) is a decoration of the Bundeswehr, the armed forces of the Federal Republic of Germany.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe decoration is awarded to German military personnel of all grades but is only allowed to be worn by enlisted members. The German armed forces regulations point out that \"the Schützenschnur is a decoration for weapons proficiency for enlisted soldiers.\" Officers can receive the award, although it is not currently authorized to be worn on their uniforms. Foreign military members also may be awarded the badge. The German military regulation on officers still applies, permitting only enlisted members to wear the badge.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe history of the Schützenschnur dates back to the Eighty Years' War where Spanish troops were ordered to hang any Dutch person who carried a musket. Therefore Spanish musketeers began to carry ropes which were often carried over one shoulder. Awarding a cord as a decoration began in the early 18th century in Prussia under Frederick William I of Prussia. With the reorganization of the Prussian Army under Gerhard von Scharnhorst the Schützenschnur became an official military award.\u003cbr data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Reichswehr and later the Wehrmacht adapted the Schützenschnur as an award for proficiency in marksmanship. The award existed in 12 different levels with different versions for infantry and armored troops. In 1957 the Bundesgrenzschutz introduced the Schützenschnur. A similar decoration existed within the East German National People's Army and the Border Troops of the German Democratic Republic.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Original Items","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":43586637594693,"sku":"ONJR25AUCC068","price":225.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1524\/1342\/files\/ONJR25AUCC068__01.jpg?v=1757948799","url":"https:\/\/www.ima-usa.com\/products\/original-german-wwii-grade-i-luftwaffe-air-force-marksmanship-lanyard-3","provider":"International Military Antiques","version":"1.0","type":"link"}