Heer / Waffen-SS Camouflage Rank – Oberleutnant

Product Description:   A rare and well-preserved example of a WWII German Heer / Waffen-SS Camouflage Rank – Oberleutnant, introduced by the Heer and later adopted by the Waffen-SS between 1942 and 1943. Executed in printed detail on rayon, the insignia features a dark green field adorned with one set of oak leaves and two horizontal lines, denoting the rank. Intended for wear on the upper left sleeve of camouflage uniforms, this design allowed for clear identification in combat conditions where traditional shoulder boards were obscured. The piece remains in excellent + condition, with vivid coloration and minimal wear, the edges have been folded and machine stitched in preparation for attachment, but doesn’t appear to have been attached. This Heer / Waffen-SS Camouflage Rank – Oberleutnant is a scarce and desirable artifact representing the evolution of German field insignia during the later stages of the war.

Historical Description: Among the vast array of military, civil, political and paramilitary uniformed organizations that proliferated during the Third Reich, rank was indicated in a myriad of ways. Many organizations used a system of rank insignia that was applied to the uniform, using collar or sleeve patches, or shoulder boards. Most military organizations used sleeve patches, often in the form of pips or chevrons, for enlisted ranks, sometimes with matching special collar tabs. NCO ranks were usually indicated with Tresse on collars and shoulder boards, while officer ranks were generally indicated with shoulder boards and generic “officer” collar tabs, with special rank-specific collar tabs for the highest ranks. The sleeve ranks were made in countless forms. Some organizations, such as the Waffen-SS, used an organizational color for the backing of all sleeve ranks, while other military branches, such as the German Army, issued sleeve ranks during wartime with backings that matched the color of the uniform. Ranks were made for all manner of specialized uniform parts, including black uniforms worn by armored vehicle crews, tropical uniforms, and even camouflage uniforms, which had their own special rank system for officers and NCOs.

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