Original WWII German Luftwaffe (Airforce) GRADE ONE MARKSMAN’S LANYARD. (Schützenschnur) Certified

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Original WWII German Luftwaffe (Airforce) GRADE ONE MARKSMAN’S LANYARD. (Schützenschnur) Certified. The Reichsluftwaffe was official established on February 26TH 1935 as the third branch of service of the Armed Forces. On March 9TH 1935 the formation of the new Reichsluftwaffe was announced to the foreign press and on March 16TH conscription was reintroduced for all three branches of service. On May 21ST 1935 the Reichsluftwaffe designation was altered to Luftwaffe. Originally, (Circa April 1935), Luftwaffe marksmen were distinguished by the army pattern series of marksmen’s sleeve stripes that were introduced during the Weimar era on January 27TH 1928. On June 29TH 1936 the army introduced a new pattern marksmen’s lanyard to replace the previously used sleeve stripes and on September 30TH 1936 the Luftwaffe followed the army’s lead by introducing their own pattern marksmen lanyards. The Luftwaffe marksmen’s lanyards were issued in twelve ascending grades with grade one being the lowest and grade twelve being the highest. The color of the lanyard cords and shield insignia and the addition of acorns/artillery shells differentiated the specific grades. The lanyards were accompanied with an award certificate and were worn suspended from under the right shoulder board/strap and affixed to the top closure button of almost all uniforms. Only EM/NCO ranks were eligible for award of the marksmen’s lanyards. Of Interest: Award of the army marksmen’s lanyards was discontinued on February 14TH 1941 to be reinstituted at the successful conclusion of the war while it seems that eligible Luftwaffe personnel continued wear of the marksmen’s lanyards through-out the conflict. A Grade One lanyard of braided Luft blue/grey artificial silk with silver/aluminum threads interwoven in a “V” pattern. Nicely detailed, stamped matte aluminum shield featuring a Luftwaffe eagle encompassed by an oval oak-leaf wreath to top. Shield mounted on same material as braided section, with stitched on Luftwaffe blue/grey wool backing. Button loops to either end of lanyard in same material as braiding. Three silver/aluminum cord slides, to top and bottom of the braided section and one above shield, are all intact. Issued example in good condition.  A nice, quality example.  Gettysburg Museum Certified (COA) provided. Rare 100% Guaranteed to be authentic. Brought home by a U.S   Veteran as a trophy of war. 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. You wanted the best this is it. Do not miss this one! NICE EXAMPLE some wear RARE! Don’t Miss it!