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Afrika Cuff Title

Condition: Near Mint

SKU: JW6314 Category: Heer Cloth & Insignia Tags heer, insignia, tropical

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Product Description: This Afrika Cuff Title is a very nice, “camel hair” example of this scarce and desirable campaign award. It is unissued, and has never been sewn to a uniform. The front of the cuff title is emblazoned with the word “Afrika” and two palm tree emblems, precisely machine embroidered in silver thread. The body of the cuff title is made from “camel hair” tan wool, with a very fine, soft and smooth nap. The long edges are trimmed with silver-white “Russia braid” piping, which has been factory applied with straight machine stitching. The cuff title is full length, with no tears, holes, or damage of any kind. The reverse of this outstanding Afrika cuff title shows the folded edges of the backing fabric as well as the bobbin thread from the embroidery. The back side of the fabric is smooth, with no nap, and shows the weave, as is correct. This is a clean and very attractive piece, that displays great, and would be hard to upgrade. The condition rates as near mint.

Historical Description: Cuff titles (Ärmelstreifen) are uniform accoutrements that have been used in the German military since the 19^thcentury. 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 21^st century with certain honor guard contingents of the Bundeswehr being permitted to wear unit-specific cuff titles.