Original Item: Only One Available. During the NSDAP period A H and the military leadership believed in the morale-improving effects of music, and military bands were in use from units as small as a battalion up to entire branches. These of course would need someone to bear the new Troop Colors flags introduced in 1936, which were identical except for the background color of the flag, which matched the Waffenfarbe (Corps Color) of the unit. The flags had a background Iron Cross emblem with a wreathed closed-wing wehrmachtadler (Armed Forces Eagle) in the center, and swas's in the corner.

While after 1939 structure changes made less units permitted to maintain a band, they were still maintained by many units. It then became customary for the unit commander to appoint an NCO as the standard bearer, and they would often wear a chained gorget when on parade as a sign of their special position. They also had an insignia worn on the right sleeve, the Abzeichen der Fahnen-und Standartenträger (Badge for Flag and Standard Bearers). These were BeVo machine embroidered on a field gray background using aluminum flat wire thread, as well as black and a third color that matched the units corps color. The design has a central closed-wing Wehrmachtadler with standard flags on either side, over a spray of oak leaves.

This is a superb BeVo-style embroidered German WWII Heer (Army) Artillery Standard Bearer's Sleeve patch, which were worn by the official flag bearers of the unit. These badges are somewhat delicate, and there were not very many standard bearers, so they are relatively hard to find.

These were originally machine embroidered onto a large roll, and cut off into rectangular sections. However, this example was cut off a uniform, so the original background fabric is now missing. It measures about 4 1/2"H x 4"W, and is very good condition, showing just a bit of wear and staining, with some fraying around the edges. The background is the correct Feldgrau (Field gray) color, with silver, black, and white thread used in the design. It shows a central Reichsadler (National Eagle) over oak leaves, with flags to either side. These have Hochrot (Deep Red) on the corners, the Waffenfabre (Corps Color) for Artillery units in the German army.

The red threading is very well retained on this example, as is the bullion, though some portions have had the aluminum coating wear away. There is no major pulling of the thread or other issues.

A very rare Sleeve patch, ready to add to your collection and display!