BACKGROUND: On November 26TH 1938 the first pattern, pointed tip, shoulder straps without waffenfarben utilized by EM/NCO’s were replaced with a rounded tip shoulder strap that included the branch of service waffenfarben. Originally these second pattern straps were manufactured in blue/green badge cloth until regulations in May 1940 altered their construction to field-grey wool. These second pattern shoulder straps were worn for the duration of the war although a third and final pattern was introduced in September 1944. The third pattern shoulder straps remained basically the same as the second pattern shoulder straps but were of generally poorer construction using the newly introduced grey/brown fabric that was designated, field-grey 44 and the waffenfarben was visible on the bottoms. PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION: Late war, (circa 1944), pattern, slip on shoulder strap of reworked, field-grey wool/rayon blend material with bright red rayon waffenfarbe. Comes with slip on Regimental slide for the 278^th Arty Rgt.

GRADE ****1/2                             PRICE $95.00