WW1 German MG Team Proficiency Badge

Maschinengewehr Abzeichen - Hand-picked German soldiers were formed into elite machine gun units that were trained in precision firing of the heavy guns from strategic battlefield locations. Members of the MG-Scharfschuetzen (machine gun sharpshooters) who mastered these techniques were awarded a proficiency badge, first authorized in January 1916. This very rare badge, made by renowned manufacturer C. E  Juncker was issued in comparatively small numbers, despite the prolific use of machineguns by the Germans. Those troops designated as machinegunners were so hated by Allied troops for the havoc they created, many were shot if captured. That these badges were taken as trophies does not come as any surprise.