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 golden yellow rayon waffenfarbe, diamond patterned NCO’s tress to all outside edges and a single rank pip and "5" unit number to each to each. One of the 5s is a bit loose but still firmly attached. Of Note: The rank of Wachtmeister was the Calvary’s equivalent to the standard army rank of Feldwebel.