BACKGROUND: On November 26TH 1938 the first pattern, pointed tip, shoulder straps without waffenfarben, (Branch of Service Color), piping, utilized by EM/NCO’s were replaced with a rounded tip shoulder strap that included the branch of service waffenfarben. Originally these second pattern straps were manufactured in blue/green badge cloth until regulations in May 1940 altered their construction to field-grey wool. These second pattern shoulder straps were worn for the duration of the war although a third and final pattern was introduced in September 1944. The different branches of service within the German army were allocated a specific, identifying, waffenfarbe, (Branch of Service Color), with white being chosen for Infanterie, (Infantry), personnel which was generally displayed as piping on the shoulder straps. Of Note: Enlisted Infantry personnel’s shoulder straps signify the ranks of Schütze, Oberschütze, Gefreiter, Obergefreiter and Stabsgefreiter inclusively with the specific rank displayed as sleeve insignia.

PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION: Early, (Circa November 1938-May 1940), second pattern, blue/green badge cloth construction, sew on shoulder strap with white wool, waffenfarbe piping and the chain stitched, regimental numeral, "71", in white cotton threads.