BACKGROUND: On December 22^ND 1920 the Reichsheer, (National Army, Circa 1919-1933), instituted a system of sleeve rank insignia for enlisted personnel. The Reichsheer system remained in effect until the newly formed Wehrmacht, Heer, (Armed Forces, Army), introduced a new system on September 25^TH 1936, that included the Oberschütze sleeve rank pip. Originally the base material of the standard issue rank insignia was in field-grey badge cloth until regulations of October 1935 altered the base material to a blue/green badge cloth. Further regulations in April 1940 altered the base material of the standard issue insignia to field-grey wool while the coloration of the base material for specialized uniforms such as the black panzer wrap or the olive/drab tropical tunic utilized the base color of the uniform. The only alteration to the sleeve rank insignia occurred in April 1942 when the earlier, discontinued, rank of Stabsgefreiter was reintroduced which resulted in a minor modification to the rank chevrons for Obergefreiters with more then six years service. This example is the 1936/1945, (Post-April 1940), pattern, sleeve rank pip for Oberschützen.

PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION: The insignia consists of a roughly, 2 1/8", (5.5cm), diameter, slightly mottled, field-grey wool base with a central, machine embroidered, sunburst pattern, rank pip in silvery/grey rayon threads. The reverse of the insignia has a black fabric backing intact. The insignia is in overall fairly good condition with light to moderate age and usage toning and light to moderate fraying and some loose stitches to the outer edges of the field-grey wool base.