BACKGROUND: EM/NCO personnel holding the ranks of Schütze to Stabsfeldwebel inclusively who had achieved proficiency at a particular trade, specialty or function were distinguished, on successful completion of the appropriate training, by being issued a distinctive trade specialty badge that was most commonly worn on the lower right sleeve of the service tunic or field blouse with a few exceptions. The original trade badges were introduced in 1934 and were supplemented with additional badges right up to mid-1944. In all the German army utilized no fewer then twenty-eight assorted trade specialty badges. Some of the trades were only open to enlisted ranks while those open to NCO’s ranks were distinguished by the addition of a piping on the trade badge. Originally the trade badges were worked on a blue/green badge cloth base, but in early 1940 this was altered to a field-grey wool base or the appropriate color of the uniform it was to be worn on.

PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION: The pre-1940 insignia consists of a roughly, 55mm diameter blue/green wool base with a hand embroidered Gothic "S" indicating, Schirrmeister, (Equipment Administration), in golden yellow, cotton threads. Complete with original backing fabric. The insignia is in overall excellent, unissued condition with minimal age toning and some nap wear.