Collecting Armbands

The well known NSDAP swastika armband, or ‘kampfbinde’ (literally ‘battle band'), dated from 1920 and was used to identify Party members even before the introduction of the brown shirt. Worn on the left upper sleeve, it soon became established as an integral part of SA uniforms, and variations were produced for subsequent Nazi organisations, including the SS, HJ and NS-Studentenbund. By 1939 the Party leadership alone sported a range of 38 different kampfbinden, each denoting the wearer's level of responsibility.

During World War 2, armbands were widely used as cheap alternatives to specialist uniform insignia which would otherwise have had to be created for temporary wear by a relatively small number of personnel. Some armbands showed that the wearer was carrying out a specific function or held a particular office, examples being the *Hilfskrankentrager’ and ’Bahnhofswache' bands. Others, like the ‘Deutsche Wehrmacht' and "Waffen—SS" bands, indicated short term membership of certain formations. Most of these wartime arrnbands were not the property of the wearer and had to be returned to the relevant authority when no longer required. Indeed, many were marked with an indelible ink stamp of the issuing unit. This marking also served as a security measure, since the details on the armband were intended to correspond with those entered on the official papers normally carried by the individual wearing the band (the same procedure as that used on military vehicle registration plates).

Armband colours, sizes and lettering styles varied considerably, the following manufacturing techniques being employed:

(i) Heavy, multi-piece construction; ie
silken tape and/or bullion thread
sewn on to a woollen cloth base to
form the appropriate design.

(ii) Hand—embroidered in bullion thread
on wool.

(iii) Machine-embroidered in cotton
thread on wool, cotton or linen.

(iv) Machine-woven in cotton and/or
silken threads.

(v) Silk-screen printed on cotton or
linen.

(vi) Hand-stencilled in paint or
waterproof ink on scrap material
[unofficial).

(vii) Hand-written or hand-painted on
scrap material (unofficial).

(viii) Metal or cloth cap eagles, arm
eagles, sleeve shields, each attached
to roughly cut strips of scrap
material (unofficial).

In general terms, quality declined as the war progressed, many of the later armbands being makeshift affairs produced in times of emergency.

From a collector's viewpoint, military armbands of the worded type are not very popular, because of their utilitarian appearance. NSDAP pieces, on the other hand, are in great demand, and even the humble karnpfbinde has been extensively faked. It is difficult to comment with any degree of certainty upon reproduction identification, as a range of genuine styles existed. However, it is safe to say that felt was never used on originals. Reproductions of the swastika armband and its derivatives are usually machine-embroidered or printed. and lack the ’clean-cut' finish of the real thing.

Armbands may be hand-washed and dried in the normal way, though items incorporating bullion threads are best left alone, since these old metallic fibres disintegrate all too easily. The most impressive method of display is in a glass tray or large photograph frame, away from direct sunlight. Unfortunately, the space consuming nature of armbands usually necessitates overlapping. An alternative method of storage, giving easier access to the hands, would be toplace them in a ring-binder with plastic inserts.

Robin Lunsten, "A Collector's Guide to Third Reich Militaria", Ian Allen Ltd., 1987

The RZM SS Wool Armband

In Nazi Germany, there existed a quixotic mixture of manufacturing firms. The textile industry was a large factor in Hitler's plan to re-vitalize his Third Reich. These consisted of industrial corporations, small regional companies and "Mom and Pop" shops. Even tailoring shops did a certain amount of manufacturing. Not only did they make uniforms, they often made shoulder straps, collar patches, and other cloth insignia as well.

The RZM mark found on Nazi State contracted goods, was the signet of quality control, proof of license, and an ominous warning for would be counterfeitors. It was a crime to have manufactured an unapproved state controlled item under Nazi law. To qualify for the license to produce a single RZM regulated item, a "Probe", or a proof item was required to be submitted to the RZM for inspection. This cap, badge, flag or other sample would then be approved if it met the standards of the RZM.



In Hitler's Germany, counterfeiting an RZM item, was dealt with in Criminal Court. Stealing from the state would be dealt with harshly. Controlled goods were not costly. Going into competition with government contracted industrial factories would not have been a profitable criminal enterprise when any company could try for an RZM approval.

This armband is an official government uniform accessory. It is manufactured to strict government design, and materials regulations. These are standardized official pieces of insignia. There are no significant variations of the wool black edged band in this grade. This is the "patented" model, inspected rigorously by the RZM and rejected immediately if not up to the standard defined by the design specifications.

This photo clearly illustrates the rayon grosgrain edge ribbon on 9 absolutely 100% original, Allgemeine SS RZM



Fine quality red melton, or doeskin wool badgecloth comprises the body of the armband. Note that the color is very consistent. An indication of strict uniformity control in a nation where there are dozens of variations of "Field Grey".

A 10 MM band of black artificial silk grosgrain rayon ribbon, is mounted on each edge of the face in the prescribed position. Unlike many armbands, the raw cut wool edge, is folded over and sewn over onto the front face of the body of the wool. The application of the black ribbon edge band, covers the raw edge of the wool and leaves a clean appearance on the interior.



The old saying "Exception to the rule", applies even in the rigid confines of the RZM regulations. Here is a veteran acquired example, which is up to spec in every respect save one. The border area is sewn over on the rear face of the wool, and the raw edge is exposed. It was worn, removed from a uniform, and is known to be original. I speculate that it was tailor made as part of an officer's uniforms order, and was applied during the assembly of the uniform. The lazy RZM approved tailor, apparently never applied the RZM tag either!



There is also an armband specifically said, to be for the Black Algemeine SS overcoat or mantel. It should closely resemble the black edged model but without the ribbon stripes themselves. In fact it will likely appear to be a wool Nazi Party or S.A. armband except for carrying a black cloth or black printed on white SS RZM tag, instead of the blue printed on white N.S.D.A.P. or S.A. tag.
The armbands are often found with either their cloth or paper inspection tag. The paper tags are often missing as they were applied with a simple adhesive glue. Use and cleaning, are the likely reason for those losses.



The color displays differently on computers. The best true example of the actual red used seems to be the red leaf of the Christmas flower, the poinsetta. Here is a picture of the leaf laying on the armband. I would classify it as blood red.

Note how the color is so similar despite different use, condition and soiling.


The Nazis were not playing around. Anybody, including an ss man, could get in a world of trouble, for not towing the official line at all times. It is unlikely an RZM item would either be non-standard, or counterfeit during that regime. Any anomaly would be noticed immediately on parade by a sharp eyed NCO during inspection and there would have been a terrific row and hell to pay. The pressure to conform, and the many levels of domination and submission, were unlike anything that collectors understand today.

There are some other patterns of SS armbands. Early ones were made before the standardization took place. Cotton examples exist. But as far as the black edged wool armband for Allgemeine SS formations, this article should supply you with a good working knowledge of what features should be present in a genuine article.

Charles Warriner, "The RZM Wool SS Armband", germanmilitariacollectibles.com, militaria blog, 2008