BACKGROUND: The German armed forces utilized a wide variety of shoulder board/strap cyphers that indicated numerous specific, assorted trades, careers, functions and/or units. Regulations decreed that the shoulder board/strap cyphers were embroidered in the branch of service color for EM’s and Junior NCO’s, in silvered metal for Senior NCO’s and in gilted metal for Officer’s ranks. Originally the shoulder board/strap cyphers for Senior NCO’s and Officer’s used during the Third Reich were a low, flat pattern that had been utilized by the Weimar era Reichsheer until regulations of September 10TH 1935 introduced new Wehrmacht pattern cyphers that featured a horizontal ribbed interior and raised outer edges.

PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION: Roughly, 19mm tall, 14mm wide, 1935 Wehrmacht pattern, silver washed, die stamped, aluminum construction cypher in the form of a Gothic, "L", with horizontally ribbed interiors and raised outer edges. The hollow reverse of the cypher is mirror image of the obverse and all of the original attachment prongs are intact. The silver coloration indicates the cyphers were intended for Senior NCO’s ranks and the "L" indicates, Lehr, (Training/Demonstration). Of Note: The German army had numerous "Lehr" units the most famous of which was the 130TH Panzer Lehr Division.