S06954 SS MEMBER'S ARMBAND. (Kampfbinde) 

BACKGROUND: In April 1925 the fledgling Schutzkommando, introduced its own version of the standard NSDAP, swastika armband by the addition of black stripes to both the top and bottom edge to differentiate SS personnel from SA personnel, since both groups were outfitted with the traditional brown shirt "uniform" at that period in time. The SS armband was worn on the black service dress and the early field-grey uniforms, until it was replaced with the SS-VT, SS-Verfügungstruppe, (SS-Special Purpose Troops), sleeve eagle in May 1936. Of Note: The Schutzkommando, was renamed, Schutzstaffel on November 9^TH 1925 and the SS-VT would evolve into the Waffen-SS, (Armed SS) in December 1939. 

PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION: Early, multi-piece construction armband features a red cotton base field with a central, white cotton circular field with a canted, black printed swastika to the front center. The top and bottom edges of the armband are bordered in the correct, 5/16" wide, (9mm wide), black cotton tape. The central white circular field and the top and bottom edge border trim are all machine stitched to the armband. The reverse of the armband has a small inset panel with dual, vertical machine stitched seams. The armband is roughly, 4 1/2" tall and 15 1/2" wide. The armband is in overall good condition with light age and usage toning and couple of small white paint stains.