Original Item. Only One Available. This is a very good original German WWII SA-Wehrmannschaften training armband retaining its original paper RZM tag. The armband features a machine-woven representation of the SA sports badge in brown and gold-colored thread on a white backing, machine stitched to a lightweight cotton band.

The SA-Wehrmannschaften were organized beginning in 1939 as a military training program connected with the Sturmabteilung, or SA. Their purpose was to provide pre-military and refresher training to SA members and other eligible men, while the organization also performed a variety of auxiliary and internal-defense functions during WWII. As the war progressed, the training program expanded substantially beyond the SA’s existing membership. By the later war years, millions of German men had reportedly participated in SA-Wehrmannschaften training.

This example of the SA Wehrmannschaft armband is a one-look textbook original. It features a machine woven, Bevo style representation of an SA sports badge, in brown and gold thread on a white backing, machine stitched to a band made of a lightweight cotton material. The armband shows minor age staining, with a bit of storage wear and creasing, but no major issues. It measures 17" x 4" and is sewn together in the back with a French seam.

The inside still features the original RZM tag which is still flat and crisp, though the glue has failed a bit. The tag has a correct “Q” tax code and features the RZM logo as well as the location for the numerical designation of the Herſteller (manufacturer) with 17 after A4. At the bottom is lot Q № 439752. This SA Wehrmannschaft armband is a very nice example that would be very hard to upgrade.

The Reichszeugmeisterei, or RZM, regulated the manufacture and distribution of NSDAP organization uniforms, insignia, and related equipment. Paper RZM tags such as this one identified regulated production and normally incorporated manufacturer coding and other control information.

Armbands were used extensively by political, civil, and paramilitary organizations during the Third Reich period. Depending upon the organization and purpose, they could indicate membership, duty assignment, organizational affiliation, rank, or participation in a particular program. Construction ranged from inexpensive printed examples to machine-woven and embroidered insignia attached to higher-quality bands.

This example is particularly appealing for the combination of its clean woven SA-Wehrmannschaften insignia, lightly worn cotton body, intact French-seamed construction, and surviving A4/17 RZM paper tag. The minor staining, storage creasing, and partially failing tag adhesive are appropriate condition considerations, while the retained label provides an important surviving production detail.

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.