History

The headgear, uniforms, and insignia worn by members of the Kriegsmarine were based upon the designs utilized by the Kaiserliche Marine (Imperial Navy) and the Reichsmarine of the Weimar Republic. The official regulations governing the uniforms of the Reichsmarine were issued on April 5, 1921, and they were embraced, with a few alterations, as the Kriegsmarine uniforms in 1935.. New guidelines concerning rank insignia were issued in 1936.

Marksmanship lanyards were awarded to NCOs (non-commissioned officers) and EMs (enlisted men) for passing yearly marksmanship tests.

The marksmanship lanyards are braided and about 25 cms long. There is a rosette at one end. They are usually made from dark blue wool, or dark blue wool interwoven with aluminum. However, privately purchased lanyards could be made from silk.
They were worn attached to the right shoulder or collar at the top and a uniform button on the bottom.

There were four grades. The highest one, grade 4, had an attached device in gilt metal at the bottom, as well as a gilt medallion affixed to the rosette (the only grade to do so). The medallion shows a fouled anchor inside a border made of rope, all within an oval oak leaf wreath. Very early, pre-1935 lanyards had a laurel leaf wreath instead.
Grade 3 lanyards feature a device made of gilt metal as well, but no medallion. Grade 2 lanyards feature a device made of silvered metal, and grade 1 lanyards one made of black metal.

The device for rifle and machine gunners is an acorn. It has one circular groove for light machine gun and two grooves for heavy machine gun performance. The cord is blue.
The device for light anti-aircraft gunners and observers is a winged shell. The cord is blue.
The device for a chief of a gun crew is a shell. The cord is blue and silver intertwined. Chiefs of anti-aircraft crews wore the same cord, but with a winged shell.
The device for torpedo gunners is a torpedo. The cord is blue and silver intertwined.
A mix of several devices was possible.

The issuing of marksmanship lanyards was discontinued in early 1940 for the duration of the war.