BACKGROUND: The first pattern shoulder straps utilized by EM/NCO’s during the Third Reich period were a carry over from the Reichswehr era and consisted of a pointed tip strap with no waffenfarben piping. 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 straps to a blue/green badge cloth. The first pattern straps were to be replaced with the introduction of the second pattern, rounded tip, shoulder straps with waffenfarbe piping on November 26TH 1938 and production of the first pattern was discontinued in March 1939.

PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION: Early, first pattern, (circa pre-1935), slip on shoulder strap with pointed tips and no waffenfarben. The field-grey wool construction shoulder strap has bright silver/aluminum waffle patterned NCO’s tress. Chain stitched regimental numeral, "51", in red threads which was the waffenfarbe color allocated to Artillery personnel.

GRADE ****1/4                             PRICE $125.00