Condition: Near Mint
Pattern: Hammerhead
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Product Description: This early SS-VT Sleeve Eagle is an outstanding example of a scarce and desirable variant. This early pattern of machine embroidered SS sleeve eagle is known to collectors as the “Hammerhead” type. This is a standard, enlisted issue type patch, with the distinctive SS pattern eagle and swastika organizational emblem rendered in white thread on a backing of nice black wool badge cloth. The embroidery is perfect, with no issues, and the black wool backing shows no moth holes or other damage. The reverse of this early SS-VT Sleeve Eagle shows textbook white bobbin thread. These early SS eagles, used by the SS-VT and later in the Waffen-SS as well, are tough to find. This one is very well-preserved, with no indication it was ever sewn to a uniform. The condition rates as near mint.
Historical Description: The German Armed Forces (Wehrmacht), as formed in 1935, and as they existed until the end of World War 2, consisted of the Army (Heer), the Air Force (Luftwaffe) and the Navy (Kriegsmarine). The Waffen-SS fell under the command of the Wehrmacht during the war. Each of these branches of service had a unique eagle design that was worn on both the formal dress and parade uniforms, and the field uniforms, of the members of that branch. These eagles were worn on soft headgear, including service and field caps, as well as on the uniform jacket. In the Heer, the Luftwaffe, and the Kriegsmarine, this eagle was worn on the chest of the tunic; collectors have termed these “breast eagles.” The Heer and the Luftwaffe generally used the same eagle style, though variations in color of the eagle or the backing distinguish between the two. The Luftwaffe used their own flying eagle emblem. The Waffen-SS sleeve eagle (and cap eagle) had wings that came to a distinctive tapered point. The cap, breast and sleeve eagles used by the various military branches were manufactured in many variations. There were machine-woven and machine embroidered versions, usually used by officers and NCOs. Hand-embroidered bullion wire eagles were typically for officers. There were metal eagles, for caps, or for uniforms that were intended to have detachable insignia. There were even eagles embroidered on camouflage fabric, intended for use on special field uniforms. There were also eagles in specific colors for use on tropical uniforms. Some of these eagles were mass-produced and are still common today. Others were, and are, very rare.
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