BACKGROUND: The first pattern shoulder straps utilized by EM/NCO’s during the Third Reich were a carry over from the Reichswehr era and consisted of a pointed tip strap with no waffenfarben. Originally the first pattern straps were constructed in basic field-grey wool until regulations of December 10TH 1934 altered the material to field-grey badge cloth. Regulations of September 10TH 1935 altered the construction of the field-grey badge cloth to a blue/green badge cloth. The first pattern straps were to replaced with the introduction of the second pattern, rounded tip, shoulder straps on November 26TH 1938 and production of the first pattern was discontinued in March 1939.

PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION: First pattern, blue/green badge cloth construction shoulder strap with a pointed tip and no waffenfarben. White chain stitched, unit designation abbreviation consisting of a stylized, "M", and the numerals, "46", indicating service with the 46TH Machine Gun Battalion.