A Heer Marksmanship Lanyard Grade 1 (Heer Schützenschnur) 1936–1938 variant

A Heer Marksmanship Lanyard Grade 1 (Heer Schützenschnur) 1936–1938 variant. The insignia is constructed in aluminum and depicts a shield with an embossed Heer National Eagle in the centre, clutching a canted swastika in its talons on a pebbled background, affixed to a silver lanyard in very good condition. The back is lined with a neutral formed white ribbon which has browned with age and the eagle is backed with blue wool. Comes with unbroken loops at both ends for attachment to the button. The insignia measuring 29 mm (w) x 37 mm (h), the lanyard measuring 390mm in length.

Historical Description: Marksmanship was a highly valued skill in the militaristic culture of the Third Reich. For soldiers, of course, this skill was taught and trained, and soldiers were expected to achieve marksmanship proficiency. Members of paramilitary organizations such as the Hitler Youth also trained with the use of weapons, and of course there were civilian shooting clubs that held events and competitions as well. There was a myriad of different kinds of marksmanship awards that were used to recognize this skill. In the SS, and early in the German Wehrmacht, sleeve insignia was used in different patterns to display different levels of rifle qualification. Later, the Heer and Luftwaffe used special lanyards for this purpose. Heer and Luftwaffe lanyards used distinctive emblem patterns, as did the Panzer branch of the Heer. The lanyards were produced in many different grades for which a soldier could qualify and were not worn on the field uniform. Because of this, issue of these lanyards was discontinued around the start of WWII. Civilian and paramilitary groups had their own wide array of different marksmanship awards, ranging from pins and badges to non-portable medals and award plaques.