Original Item: Only One Available. This is an excellent original German WWII Deutsche Luftwaffe Ärmelbinde, or armband, intended for aircrew use as an identification device in the event they were forced to bail out or make an emergency landing. The brightly colored band was designed to help identify downed Luftwaffe personnel to German military units, police, or civilians on the ground.

The armband is constructed from yellow cotton fabric with the outer edges neatly finished in white machine stitching. It is factory sewn together at the rear with a French seam, as originally issued.

Printed prominently on the exterior is the Luftwaffe eagle above:

DEUTSCHE LUFTWAFFE

The black ink has soaked through the lightweight cotton and is clearly visible in reverse on the inside of the band, a typical characteristic of this type of period printed insignia.

Condition is excellent and appears unissued. There is only very slight age toning and minor storage wear, with no significant damage.

The armband measures approximately:

15 inches long
3 1/2 inches wide

Identification armbands such as this served a practical purpose rather than simply indicating organizational membership. Luftwaffe aircrew operating over German-controlled or friendly territory could find themselves separated from their aircraft following a bailout or forced landing. A conspicuous official identification band provided a quick means of distinguishing uniformed air personnel, particularly if outer flight clothing or specialized equipment obscured conventional uniform insignia.

Armbands were widely used throughout German military, civil, political, and paramilitary organizations during WWII. They could identify an organization, duty position, rank, nationality, or specialized function. Construction ranged from inexpensive printed cotton examples to highly embroidered insignia, depending upon the intended use.

This example is particularly desirable because it remains in apparently unissued condition and retains strong yellow color, clear Luftwaffe markings, original stitching, and its factory-sewn configuration.