History

The German Wehrmacht was composed of three main branches, the Heer (Army), the Kriegsmarine (Navy), and the Luftwaffe (Air Force). The Heer and Kriegsmarine uniforms were based upon the designs utilized by their predecessor organizations, the Reichsheer and the Kaiserliche Marine. Conversely, the Luftwaffe uniforms were based upon the uniforms worn in the sports and paramilitary organizations that were the forerunners of the Luftwaffe. The Luftwaffe uniforms were specifically designed to deviate from the designs of the other Wehrmacht service branches. It was also necessary that the uniforms differentiate between military and civilian pilots.

Marksmanship lanyards were awarded to NCOs (non-commissioned officers) and EMs (enlisted men) for passing yearly marksmanship tests. Luftwaffe lanyards were introduced on September 30, 1936.

The marksmanship lanyards are braided and have a rosette at one end. They are usually made from artificial silk.
Affixed to the rosette was an metal shield in the form of an oval oak leaf wreath with a superimposed Luftwaffe eagle emblem.
Zero to three metal devices could be attached to the end of the lanyard to denote which grade the wearer held, but also which branch the wearer belonged to. The standard device was an acorn. They are often found covered in a silk or bullion wrapping. Anti-aircraft (Flak) members used metal shells in place of the acorns.

Lanyards were worn attached to the right shoulder or collar at the top and a uniform button on the bottom.

There are 12 grades. The highest grades are grade 12 down to grade 9, which feature lanyards made from blue-grey silk with interwoven dark gold-coloured threads and a dark gold-coloured metal shield. Grade 12 has three dark gold-coloured devices attached, grade 11 has two, grade 10 has one, and grade 9 has none.

Grades 8 down to 5 feature lanyards made from silver-coloured aluminum threads with interwoven blue-grey silk and a silver-coloured metal shield. Grade 8 has three silver-coloured devices attached, grade 7 has two, grade 6 has one, and grade 5 has none.

Grades 4 down to 1 feature lanyards made from blue-grey silk with interwoven silver-coloured aluminum threads and a dark oxidized metal shield. Grade 4 has three dark silver devices, grade 3 has two, grade 2 has one, and grade 1 has none.