BACKGROUND: The DSVB, Deutscher Standschutzenverband, (German State Shooting Association), was originally a loosely associated group of non-political, civilian organizations consisting of voluntary members with an interest in competitive marksmanship. The DSVB held numerous marksman competitions through-out Germany with assorted badges, trophies, and plaques awarded as prizes to the successful participants. Although the DSVB remained a voluntary civilian organization not affiliated with any political party or the military, as with other civilian organizations during the Third Reich, it fell under the influence of the NSDAP which intervened in their activities and enforced strict regulations in an attempt enact gun controls favorable to their ideals. One of the enforced regulations was the registration of all members into the NSDAP supervised DSVB. Other regulations included newly introduced uniforms for the membership and the adoption of the swastika on many of its marksman awards.

PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION: Roughly 55mm diameter, die struck alloy award with a fire gilted finish and multi-colored enamel work. Award features a recessed, circular outer border with fire gilted oak-leaf wreath encompassing a raised, smooth fire gilted inner field with the likeness of a rifleman in brown jacket, green and red striped shirt and black pants clutching a brown and blue rifle above a white target with canted gilt swastika. The rifleman is flanked by white script and date, "Meisterklasse Kitzbuhel 1943", (District Shooting Kitzbuhel {location}, 1943). The gilt finish and multi-colored enamel work are all intact. Complete with original pinback device.