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German Army (Wehrmacht Heer) Marksmanship Lanyard (Schützenschnur neuer Art), corresponding to the 1st Grade (1. Stufe), awarded to recognize marksmanship proficiency among infantry enlisted men and non-commissioned officers.
The example consists of a silver-coloured braided cord, made with metallic threads, and a fine zinc (Feinzink) shield at the upper end, decorated with the military emblem associated with this pattern. The lower end features a decorative woven acorn (Eichel), characteristic of infantry marksmanship lanyards.
The German tradition of recognizing skilled marksmen dates back to the Reichswehr. On 27 January 1928, sleeve insignia were introduced to distinguish military personnel who demonstrated superior shooting skills. On 29 June 1936, these insignia were replaced by a new system of marksmanship lanyards.
The original system consisted of four grades, but on 17 October 1938, it was expanded to twelve grades (Stufen), distinguished by the design of the metal shield and the decorative elements of the cord.
The grades were divided into three groups. Grades 1 to 4 featured a silver-coloured shield with the Wehrmacht eagle; grades 5 to 8 incorporated a silver-coloured shield with additional crossed swords and oak-leaf motifs; and grades 9 to 12 featured a gold-coloured shield. Within each group, successive levels were identified by additional decorative elements.
The lanyard was worn suspended from the right shoulder strap of the uniform, with its lower end attached to one of the front buttons of the tunic, forming a decorative arrangement across the right breast. Its use was restricted to enlisted men and non-commissioned officers, excluding commissioned officers.
The Schützenschnur was not a decoration for bravery in combat but a military proficiency distinction, awarded to personnel who achieved the required standards in regulation marksmanship tests.
The system covered various military specializations, including infantry, mountain troops, motorized units and artillery. Artillery versions could feature different decorative elements, such as small metal grenades.
During the Second World War, the award of Army marksmanship lanyards was suspended on 14 February 1941, although previously awarded examples continued to be worn by their recipients.
This example represents the Wehrmacht system of military proficiency distinctions, intended to encourage technical training and recognize soldiers’ skills in the handling of weapons.
Wehrmacht Heer Marksmanship Lanyard (Schützenschnur neuer Art), 1st Grade (1. Stufe), infantry version. Silver-coloured braided cord with fine zinc metal shield and a decorative woven acorn. Germany, Third Reich, late 1930s pattern, Second World War.
