stripes on uniform sleeve

[Rittmeister]

What doe the white stripes on uniform sleeves mean? They appear mostly on Reichswehr uniforms but it seems to be have been used in the Wehrmacht to some extent earlier on as well. I assume they mean Dienstgrade in Kavallerie units?

[TerryG]

Spiess??

[Rittmeister]

No, they're on the same place although. I just wish I found a suitable photo on the net. They're short white strips and can be found by up to three above each other.

[leigh kitchen]

"Der Spiess"?

In fact, here's a link to a site explaining the post of "Hauptfeldwebel":

http://www.deutschesoldaten.com/ranks/hauptfeldwebel.htm

I've read the other post now, so ok, not der speiss - good little page though..............

Edited February 23, 2007 by leigh kitchen

[Glenn J]

I think we are talking about the marksmanship (Schie?auszeichnungen) stripes intoroduced in December 1920 which were worn on the left cuff. Initially of green wool, they were replaced in 1928 by silver braid.

Regards

Glenn

[Rittmeister]

Bingo. That's the stuff. So they existed in two Stufen, but what were they awarded for, rifle marksmanship?

[Guest Rick Research]

Yes. The Reichsheer abandoned the old Imperial style cords which were re-introduced by the Wehrmacht.

This Infantry Regiment 97 Unterfeldwebel is wearing the brand new M1936 dress uniform but with those old style stripes. This must have been taken before 1 October that year, which is when the first Wehrmacht long service awards were bestowed:

[David S]

As stated above the straight bars were for Marksmanship (ascending grades). I believe there were 24 grades.

The chevron bar idenotes Sniper qualification.

The Luftwaffe used them from April 1935 to Autumn 1936 as well.

[Paul R]

I would love to see a photo of that!(Being used on a LW uniform!)

[David S]

As requested

From

Uniforms And Insignia of the Luftwaffe - Vol 1 - 1933 to 1940

by Brian L Davis

page 165 - no date on the picture

Edited February 25, 2007 by David S

[David S]

Closer on the Speiss