BACKGROUND: On November 26TH 1938 the first pattern, pointed tip, shoulder straps without waffenfarben 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.

PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION: Early, (November 1938-May 1940), second pattern, blue/green badge cloth construction, slip on shoulder straps with bright, silver/aluminum, diamond patterned NCO’s tress to the outside edges of all but the slip on ends and golden yellow wool waffenfarbe. Chain stitched unit numbers "18" have been removed in accordance with regulations. Of Note: The Cavalry rank of Unterwachtmeister was equivalent to both the standard ranks of Unteroffizier and Unterfeldwebel. Also Of Note: Regulations dictated that the bright silver/aluminum tress was to be replaced with a new, less visible, subdued blue/grey tress as of April 25TH 1940.