BACKGROUND: On June 17TH 1936, Reichsführer-SS Heinrich Himmler was appointed to the newly created position of Chef der Deutschen Polizei im Reichsministerium des Innern, (Chief of the German Police in the National Ministry of the Interior), effectively giving him full control of all police agencies within Germany. As a result of this appointment and the restructuring of all the separate German state police into a single national police force new regulations were instituted to bring about uniformity in dress for all police through-out the country. In August 1937 a series of five proficiency badges was introduced by wear by all qualifying ranks of the Schutzpolizei and the Gendarmerie. The proficiency badges for NCO ranks were manufactured in the appropriate truppenfarbe, (branch of service color), of either green for Schutzpolizei or orange for Gendarmerie. Officers versions of the proficiency badges were manufactured in bright silver/aluminum threads on the appropriate truppenfarbe colored base. The proficiency badges were worn on the lower left sleeve of the service tunic. This particular badge would indicate the recipient was a qualified horseman.

PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION: Roughly 45mm diameter, police green wool base with hand embroidered crossed cavalry lances in bright silver/aluminum wire threads. Scarce police insignia.