History
The history of the Schützenschnur dates back to the Eighty Years' War where Spanish troops were ordered to hang any Dutch person who carried a musket. Therefore Spanish musketeers began to carry ropes which were often carried over one shoulder. Awarding a cord as a decoration began in the early 18th century in Prussia under Frederick William I of Prussia.
With the reorganization of the Prussian Army under Gerhard von Scharnhorst the Schützenschnur became an official military award.
The Reichswehr and later the Wehrmacht adapted the Schützenschnur as an award for proficiency in marksmanship. The award existed in 12 different levels with different versions for infantry and armored troops.
In 1957 the Bundesgrenzschutz introduced the Schützenschnur.
A similar decoration existed within the East German National People's Army and the Border Troops of the German Democratic Republic.
Read more about this topic: German Armed Forces Badge Of Marksmanship
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