|
Marksmanship Lanyards
|
Marksmanship lanyards (Schützen Abzeichen) were
constructed of aluminium braid, bearing a metal plaque, and were worn on the uniform tunic
or field blouse when in dress uniform, for parades or other ceremonies, or for walking
out. They were only worn by Enlisted Men and not by officers, and were intended to
promote interest in marksmanship, as well as reward those who demonstrated skill with
different infantry weapons. |
|
|
The lanyards were introduced in June 1936. They were
attached to the uniform by means of securing the cloth loops on each end of the lanyard to
two buttons; the end of the lanyard on which the plaque was mounted had its loop secured
to a small button sewn under the shoulder strap, near the shoulder. The other end of
the lanyard had a loop which attached to the second button on the tunic or blouse front
(and was secured before the tunic was closed, hiding the loop).
 |
EARLY PATTERNS The earliest patterns of lanyard plaque had two types of plaque; the
first was a simple shield bearing the Wehrmachtadler (Armed Forces eagle) in white
metal. Successive awards of the lanyard were marked by the additions of
silver-coloured acorns (or, for artillery troops, miniature shells) at the tail end
of the lanyard.
|
 |
|
The second type of plaque had a
white metal shield with crossed swords, as well as a full wreath with oakleaves and acorns
and this pattern, in conjunction with acorns (or shells), was used for the 5th through 8th
award.
|
 |
For the 9th to 12th award, the same pattern plaque as for 5-8
was used, but in gilt (as were the slides and acorns or shells).
The
marksmanship lanyard was worn on the fieldblouse as well as on the Waffenrock or dress
tunic. An early pattern plaque can be seen in the studio photo at right, this
photo is further evidence that the original intention to have the black AFV uniform as a
"field only" garment was often ignored.
|
 |
|
On this sample
Waffenrock (below and right), it is clear that a button was never sewn to the uniform
cloth underneath the shoulder strap. Instead, this marksmanship lanyard has
had its upper loop wrapped around the prongs securing one of the NCO rank stars to the
strap.
|
 |
CHANGES
Prior to 1939, a new plaque was introduced to replace the
plaque for levels 1-4; a similar design to that used for groups 5-12 was used, with a
wreath of oak leaves (lacking acorns) was used.
|
|
 |
|
Old pattern plaque for Groups 1
to 4 |
Old pattern plaque for Groups
5-8 (in aluminium) and 9-12 (in gilt). This plaque remained unchanged. |
New pattern plaque for Groups 1
to 4, replacing the shield shown at left. Note the differences between the latter two
types; there are different styles of handgrips on the swords, and the new pattern plaque
at right also has an oakleaf wreath without acorns. The plaque at right
has not been mounted on a lanyard; note the prongs. |
| Two new designs of plaque were also introduced
for wear by armoured troops; the design was similar to the wreath and swords, with the
sword replaced by a panzer. They also came in two similar patterns, with the second
pattern being in both aluminium for groups 5-8, and gilt for groups 9-12. Like
artillery troops, panzer troops also wore miniature cannon shells rather than acorns to
indicate higher awards. |
 |
|
