Condition: Near Mint
Pattern: Camel Hair
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Product Description: This Afrika cuff title is a choice example of the desirable and relatively scarce campaign award version. There is no damage to note, and it appears that this piece was never issued and never worn. The body of the cuff title is made from a high quality “camel hair” fabric that retains all of the original fine, soft surface nap as well as strong original color with no fading. The “Afrika” lettering and palm trees are textbook, perfectly machine embroidered in silver thread. The long edges of the armband are adorned with silver “Russia braid” piping. The piping is correctly factory machine sewn with straight stitching, and shows no oxidation or wear. The reverse shows typical details of the machine embroidery. This Afrika cuff title is a full 18 inches long. It’s in outstanding, near mint condition, and would be tough to upgrade.
Historical Description: Cuff titles (Ärmelstreifen) are uniform accoutrements that have been used in the German military since the 19thcentury. Intended to foster a certain sense of ‘esprit de corps’ amongst members of the armed forces, they were authorized for wear by members of designated units for the duration of their service time within that unit. In the event of transfer out of the unit, the cuff title was to be removed from the service member’s uniform. During the Third Reich, the German military continued this tradition by instituting honorary cuff titles to certain ‘special’ formations. This practice is perhaps most well-known for its application amongst Waffen- ϟϟ units. Cuff titles were also authorized for wear within all branches of the Wehrmacht (Army, Air Force and Navy) as well. These unit-specific cuff titles are not to be confused with others, which were awarded for participation in a certain campaign. The tradition, within the German military of wearing cuff titles, continues into the 21st century with certain honor guard contingents of the Bundeswehr being permitted to wear unit-specific cuff titles.
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