BACKGROUND: On December 22ND 1920 the Reichsheer, (National Army), instituted a system of sleeve rank insignia for enlisted personnel. The Reichsheer system remained in effect until the newly formed Wehrmacht Heer, (Armed Forces, Army), introduced a new system on September 25TH 1936 that included the Oberschütze sleeve rank pip. Originally the base material of the standard issue rank insignia was in field-grey badge cloth until regulations of October 1935 altered the base material to a blue/green badge cloth. Further regulations on April 25TH 1940 altered the base material of the standard issue insignia to field-grey wool while the coloration of the base material for specialized uniforms such as the black panzer wrap or the olive/drab tropical tunic utilized the base color of the uniform.

PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION: Second pattern, (1936), later issue, (Circa 1940-1945), Oberschütze rank insignia consists of a roughly, 2 1/4" diameter, reed green, cotton/rayon blend fabric with an HBT, (Herring Bone Twill), weave with a central, machine embroidered, rank pip in silvery/grey rayon threads. The outer edge of the circular base has a narrow, machine stitched on, reed green rayon reinforcement strip. The reverse of the insignia has a protective grey fabric intact. The insignia is in overall excellent, unissued condition with minimal age toning.