Original WWII German Army PANZER MARKSMEN’S LANYARD INSIGNIA. (Schützenschnur für Panzertruppen) Certified

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Original WWII German Army PANZER MARKSMEN’S LANYARD INSIGNIA. (Schützenschnur für Panzertruppen) Certified. Originally German army marksmen were distinguished by a series of sleeve stripes that were introduced on January 27TH 1928. These sleeve stripes remained in use until newly designed marksmen’s lanyards were introduced on June 29TH 1936. The first pattern lanyard shields were replaced with a slightly modified second pattern shield on January 9TH 1939. On October 17TH 1938 a new lanyard shield was designed specifically for qualified Panzer, (armored), troop marksmen. Prior to the introduction of the Panzer marksmen’s lanyard shield armored marksmen were awarded the standard Infantry marksmen’s lanyard shield. The lanyards were issued in twelve ascending grades with grade one being the lowest and grade twelve the highest. The grades of the Panzer marksmen’s lanyards were differentiated by a small silver colored shield for grades one through four with an additional artillery shell device for each successive grade, a slightly larger silver colored shield for grades five through eight with an additional artillery shell device for each successive grade and a gilt colored shield for grades nine through twelve with an additional artillery shell device for each successive grade. The lanyards were awarded to qualifying EM/NCO’s and were accompanied with an award certificate. The lanyards were worn suspended from under the right shoulder strap and attached to the second top front closure button of most uniforms. Bestowal of the marksmen’s lanyards was discontinued on February 14TH 1941 to be re-instituted at the successful conclusion of the war.  Stamped, zinc alloy construction, vertically oval shield. The shield features an embossed, oak-leaf pattern wreath with a Wehrmacht style eagle with down swept wings positioned to the top center encompassing the cut-out, left forward profile of a Panzer I. All four reverse prongs are intact.   Gettysburg Museum Certified (COA) provided. Rare 100% Guaranteed to be authentic. Sold for historic purposes only. See our other pieces on our web site.    Also note when browsing our web site there are several pages of items, at the bottom of the list look for other page numbers. OUTSTANDING EXAMPLE! A VERY RARE BADGE!