A Panzer marksmanship Lanyard Grade 11 (Schützenschnur für Panzertruppen)

A Panzer marksmanship Lanyard Grade 11 (Panzer Schützenschnur) variant. The insignia is constructed in gilt zinc metal and depicts a panzer Mark I with oak leaf surround and Heer National eagle in the top, clutching a canted swastika in its talons, affixed with four reverse attachment prongs to a lanyard constructed of multiple rows of twisted and rolled silver aluminum wire, with two silver acorns attached in very good condition. The back is lined with a neutral formed white ribbon which has browned with age and the rear is backed with an army green wool. Comes with unbroken loops at both ends for attachment to the button.
The insignia measuring 43mm (w) x 56mm (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.