Original Item: Only One Available. This is an original German pre-WWII SS member’s Kampfbinde, or armband, of multi-piece wool and rayon construction. Measuring approximately 16 3/4" long by 4 7/8" high, it retains its early machine woven BeVo RZM tag bearing the double Siegrune insignia and the code 156/37.

The main body is constructed from red woven wool. A separately applied white rayon moiré roundel is sewn to the front and carries a multi-piece black mobile swas.

The design is closely related to the standard NSDAP political armband, but is distinguished by the approximately 8mm wide black rayon borders applied along the upper and lower edges.

The armband is joined by machine stitching at the reverse, forming a complete sleeve for wear on the uniform.

The interior retains its original machine woven RZM label. The tag displays the (RZM) emblem and ᛋᛋ Doppelte Siegrune (Double Sig/Victory Rune) insignia, with the code:

156 / 37

The “37” portion may indicate 1937 production, consistent with the prewar construction and woven tag style. The precise meaning of the complete 156/37 code has not been independently confirmed from the supplied information and should not be interpreted more specifically without an appropriate RZM manufacturer reference.

Woven RZM tags of this type are generally associated with earlier production, before less expensive printed paper labels became more commonly used. The surviving label is an especially desirable feature because these cloth tags were often removed, damaged, or lost during wear.

The armband remains in very good service used condition. The red wool shows areas of wear, including several small moth holes and loss to the raised fuzzy nap of the fabric.

The white rayon roundel displays staining and age toning, together with minor fraying. The black rayon borders and central emblem remain substantially intact.

With its early multi-piece construction, red wool body, moiré rayon roundel, distinctive black SS borders, complete reverse seam, and surviving BeVo RZM 156/37 tag, this is an appealing example of prewar SS uniform insignia. The moth holes, worn wool nap, staining, age toning, minor fraying, and uncertain full interpretation of the tag code are fully disclosed. It would display particularly well in an early SS uniform, political armband, BeVo label, RZM marked insignia, prewar organization, or advanced German cloth collection.

Nearly every military, civil, political and paramilitary organization in existence during the Third Reich used armbands. Armbands were worn on military and civilian uniforms and also on civilian clothes, from suit jackets to work clothing. They were used to denote membership in organizations, to indicate a specific role or function of the bearer, and as insignia of rank. Many organizations would change the design of their armbands over time, which added to the variety produced. These were manufactured in countless variations, ranging from simple printed bands to elaborately hand-embroidered pieces of the highest quality. Some NSDAP armbands were worn by all members of large organizations and were made by the millions. Others were intended for use at a specific time and place and were unique. Many types were made in very limited numbers. Some bore metal insignia or special identifiers that indicated the wearer’s rank, unit affiliation, or nationality. Armbands were sometimes but not always marked with ink stamps by the issuing authorities.