German military marching band.?

Last night I attended an International Tattoo and saw many pipe, drum and marching bands. When the German marching military band came on, the head guy (not the band conductor), held a very large, ornately designed, shiny metal thing (not an instrument) with long black tels on either side with the German coat of arms (black eagle) on the front. As the band took their places and played their music, this fellow stood off to the side and as the band reformed and marched off, he led the band members off. I know that I know what that large metal thing is called but I can't think of it. Anybody have any idea?