Original Item: Only One Available. This is an original German WWII Waffen-SS armorer NCO sleeve diamond trade badge, constructed from black wool in the characteristic rhomboid form and machine embroidered in silver gray rayon with a crossed MG 13 machine gun and K98k rifle. The badge measures approximately 3 1/8" tall by 2" wide and was intended for qualified armorer personnel.

Trade and specialty insignia were used within the German armed forces to identify personnel who had completed training and demonstrated proficiency in a particular technical or occupational role. The Waffen-SS initially used Army style trade badges before adopting its own diamond shaped sleeve insignia for specialist functions. These badges were worn on the lower left sleeve of the field blouse or service tunic by qualified personnel.

This example is identified as the armorer NCO pattern, or Waffenunterführer Ärmelabzeichen, introduced in 1937 to replace the earlier Army pattern badge used by qualified armorer personnel. The crossed MG 13 machine gun and K98k rifle are machine embroidered in silver gray rayon thread against a black wool field.

The black wool face remains strong and well preserved, while the embroidered crossed weapons are still clear and well defined. The silver gray thread has developed light age toning. There is a blue ink or marker stain on the barrel area of the MG 13, apparently of some age.

The wool shows expected surface lint and light handling wear, together with slight fraying and wear around the raw cut edges and points of the diamond. The reverse remains in very good condition and shows less age toning and wear than the front.

With its distinctive crossed MG 13 and K98k embroidery, black wool construction, silver gray rayon thread, and well preserved overall form, this is a strong example of a German WWII Waffen-SS armorer NCO sleeve diamond. The blue stain, light wool wear, surface lint, and minor edge fraying are all fully disclosed. It would fit especially well in a Waffen-SS trade badge, armorer insignia, German uniform insignia, or advanced WWII cloth collection.

Due to legal restrictions this item cannot be shipped to Australia, France or Germany. This is not a comprehensive list and other countries may be added in the future.