A Collection Of Documents & Sniper Badges To Hj Master Marksman Paul Förster

A complete collection of three HJ marksmanship and sniper badges with two award certificates and three shooting qualification booklets.

1) A gold grade HJ marksmanship badge for snipers; a round badge silvered and gilt bronze - note that the golden finish on this badge was most likely applied by the recipient himself after qualifying for the badge; the obverse in black enamels with round silver inlays to form a “bullseye”, with a HJ diamond in white, black, and pebbled red enamels superimposed on the obverse, with crossed rifles directly beneath, all surrounded by a ring of golden oak leaves; the reverse with a horizontal pinback; maker marked “RZM M1/63” for “Steinhauer & Lück, Lüdenscheid” on the reverse; measuring 25.14 mm in diameter; weighing 8.2 grams.

2) A silver grade HJ marksmanship badge for snipers; a round badge silvered bronze; the obverse in black enamels with round silver inlays to form a “bullseye”, with a HJ diamond in white, black, and pebbled red enamels superimposed on the obverse, with crossed rifles directly beneath, all surrounded by a ring of silvered oak leaves; the reverse with a horizontal pinback; maker marked “RZM M1/14” for “Matthias Öschler & Sohn, Ansbach” on the reverse; measuring 24.81 mm.

3) A HJ marksmanship badge; a round badge in silvered bronze; the obverse in black enamels with round silver inlays to form a “bullseye”, with a HJ diamond in white, black, and pebbled red enamels superimposed on the obverse, with crossed rifles directly beneath; horizontal pinback; maker marked “RZM M1/148” for “Alexander Wollram, Dessau” on the reverse; measuring 21.23 mm in diameter; weighing 6.0 grams.

4) A shooting qualification booklet from 1940 stating that Förster is an HJ-Scharführer in Gefolgschaft (Company) Marine 1, Bann 460 in Cosel (present-day Koźle, southern Poland), Gebiet (District) 40, Upper Silesia. On September 30, 1940 Förster’s shooting record allowed him to move from the beginner class to the training class. On October 2 he reached the special class and reached the class’s goal on October 5. On November 16, 1940 Förster was awarded the HJ Shooting Badge for Marksmen; measuring 104 mm x 146 mm.

5) A shooting qualification booklet from 1941stating that Förster is an Oberrottenführer in Gefolgschaft (Company) 6 in the same Bann and District as before. On June 16, 1941 he received the HJ Shooting Badge for Sharpshooters; measuring 104 mm x 146 mm.

6) A shooting qualification booklet from 1942 stating that Förster is a Kameradschaftsführer. On April 20, 1942 he reached the HJ master marksman class. He received the HJ Shooting Badge for Master Marksmen on December 9, 1942; measuring 104 mm x 146 mm.

7) Next to the certificate of ownership for the Master Marksman Badge Förster also received a certificate of ownership for the HJ Proficiency Badge in Silver which he got on February 4, 1943. Both give his birthday as May 18, 1925.74 mm x 105 mm.

Overall, this is a very unique collection of HJ sniper badges, with matching documents.