BACKGROUND: The origins of the Hitler Jugend, (Hitler Youth), may be traced back to March 1922 with the formation of the Jugendbund der NSDAP, Nationalsozialistische Deutsche Arbeiterpartei, (Youth League of the National Socialist German Worker's Party), under control of the SA, Sturmabteilung, (Storm/Assault Detachment). In April 1924 the Jugendbund der NSDAP was renamed Grossdeutsche Jugendbewegung (Greater German Youth Movement), and on July 4TH 1926 the Grossdeutsche Jugendbewegung was officially renamed Hitler Jugend Bund der deutschen Arbeiterjugend, (Hitler Youth League of German Worker Youth). Although German youth organizations had worn armbands as early as 1923, it wasn't until 1933 that regulations decreed the official pattern armband for wear by all HJ members. The armband was worn on the upper left sleeve on almost all uniforms of HJ members as organizational identifying insignia.

PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION: Single piece, printed cotton construction armband features a red base field with a central, white, horizontal stripe, with a white diamond with a canted black swastika to the center. The armband is roughly, 21cm long and 11cm tall with a machine stitched vertical seam to the reverse. The armband is in overall very good, clean condition. These printed cotton versions are quite scarce, probably on a ration of 25 to 1 to the regular multi piece example. Superb condition and scarce.

GRADE ****1/2                             PRICE $165.00