{"product_id":"original-german-wwii-grade-i-luftwaffe-air-force-marksmanship-lanyard-4","title":"Original German WWII Grade I Luftwaffe Air Force Marksmanship Lanyard","description":"\u003cp\u003eOriginal Item. Only One Available. This is a very good original German WWII Luftwaffe marksmanship lanyard, or\u003cem\u003e Schützenschnur\u003c\/em\u003e, in the Grade I configuration without additional acorns. The lanyard retains its blue-gray braided cord with silver-colored metallic threads, Luftwaffe eagle badge within an oak leaf wreath, original felt backing, and both attachment loops.\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 a great condition Luftwaffe Air Force Marksmanship Lanyard, Grade 1 (No Acorns), which shows only minor wear and rubbing to the cords, and some minor fraying of the material. The felt padding on the back of the badge area is still intact, showing wear but no major damage, and both the top and bottom loops are still present. Measures approximately 16 inches in overall length. There is no stitched nylon\/rayon on the back of this example.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe blue-gray cord, intact Luftwaffe eagle badge, surviving felt backing, both attachment loops, and Grade I configuration make this a strong representative example of a Luftwaffe Schützenschnur. The minor rubbing, light fraying, and absence of a rear wear strip are the principal condition considerations.\u003cbr\u003e\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\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":45525128249413,"sku":"ONSV26CC249","price":225.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1524\/1342\/files\/ONSV26CC249__01.jpg?v=1786374462","url":"https:\/\/www.ima-usa.com\/products\/original-german-wwii-grade-i-luftwaffe-air-force-marksmanship-lanyard-4","provider":"International Military Antiques","version":"1.0","type":"link"}