H005692 INFANTRY UNTEROFFIZIER'S SHOULDER STRAP. (Schulterklappen)

BACKGROUND: The first pattern shoulder straps utilized by EM/NCO’s during the Third Reich period were a carry over from the Reichswehr era and consisted of a pointed tip strap with no waffenfarben, (Branch of Service Color), piping. Originally the first pattern straps were constructed in basic field-grey wool until regulations of December 10TH 1934 altered the material to field-grey badge cloth. Regulations of September 10TH 1935 altered the construction of the field-grey badge cloth straps to a blue/green badge cloth. The first pattern straps were to be replaced with the introduction of the second pattern, rounded tip, shoulder straps with waffenfarbe piping on November 26TH 1938 and production of the first pattern was discontinued in March 1939. Due to the lack of the waffenfarbe piping on the first pattern shoulder straps the particular branch of service can not be determined unless the straps have had the regimental numeral embroidered in the branch of service color. This example has the regimental numeral chain stitched in white threads which was the waffenfarbe allotted to Infanterie, (Infantry), personnel. Identifying NCO’s rank tress can be traced back to at least the Guard units of the Imperial Germany army and its use was continued through-out the Reichswehr era and on into the Third Reich with minor variations. On September 10TH 1935 a slightly modified version of the tress was introduced which was slightly narrower then the Reichswehr era tress and reintroduced the Imperial diamond pattern. The tress was worn by NCO ranks on the forward collar edge of the dress and service tunics, on the tropical and continental field blouses, as adornment on the shoulder straps and dress tunic cuffs and also as sleeve rank chevrons. On April 25TH 1940 a new subdued tress of matte blue/grey rayon was introduced for wear on the field uniform and a subdued golden tan rayon tress was introduced for wear on the tropical uniform. Although these new subdued tress’s were intended to replace the highly visible bright silver/aluminum tress it continued in usage until the end of the war.

PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION: First pattern, (Circa September 1935-March 1939), blue/green badge cloth construction, slip on shoulder strap with pointed tips and no waffenfarbe piping. The shoulder strap features, bright, silver/aluminum, diamond patterned, NCO’s tress to all but the slip on ends and the chain stitched, white cotton, regimental numerals, "111".

GRADE ****1/4                             PRICE $125.00