Wool SS Armband RFSS Tag

Product Description: This Wool SS Armband is a beautiful and extremely desirable example of this iconic armband, with an outstanding cloth label inside. The body of the armband is made of a high quality wool fabric that retains great original color. There are no moth nips. There is some scattered spotting and staining, mostly to the reverse. The front of the armband features a white roundel and a swastika made of two pieces of ribbed tape. The long edges are adorned with black fabric tape with a visible horizontal weave, indicating this armband was intended to be worn by a member of the SS. The reverse of the armband is sewn together, as it would have been worn. It has been made larger by the period addition of another section of wool with applied black fabric tape, perhaps for wear on an overcoat. The interior of this wool SS armband has a wonderful, machine applied SS RZM tag. This cloth tag is made with Bevo style machine weaving, and bears the round emblems of the SS and Reichszeugmeisterei, as well as the wording “Vom Reichsführer SS befohlene Ausführung.” Below this is a smaller Bevo tag, also machine applied, with the contract number 61/35 indicating manufacture in 1935. This is a great, top quality armband, with lots of eye appeal. The condition rates as excellent.

Historical Description: Nearly every military, civil, political, and paramilitary organization in existence during the Third Reich used armbands. Armbands were worn on military and civilian uniforms and also on civilian clothes, from suit jackets to work clothing. They were used to denote membership in organizations, to indicate a specific role or function of the bearer, and as insignia of rank. Many organizations would change the design of their armbands over time, which added to the variety produced. These were manufactured in countless variations, ranging from simple printed bands to elaborately hand-embroidered pieces of the highest quality. Some Nazi armbands were worn by all members of large organizations and were made by the millions. Others were intended for use at a specific time and place and were unique. Many types were made in very limited numbers. Some bore metal insignia or special identifiers that indicated the wearer’s rank, unit affiliation, or nationality. Armbands were sometimes but not always marked with ink stamps by the issuing authorities.

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