BACKGROUND: Collar tabs were adopted by the newly formed Luftwaffe on April 14TH 1935 and followed the basic pattern of the earlier, DLV, Deutscher Luftsport Verband, (German Air Sports League), collar tabs. The collar tabs were worn in matching pairs and the base color indicated the branch of service while additional cyphers or embroidery indicated the rank of the wearer. For EM/NCO ranks the rank cyphers were in the form of stamped metal "gulls".

PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION: Stamped, natural aluminum construction, collar tab rank "gull", in the form of a stylized bird in flight with curved, out-stretched "wings" that resemble a "V". The obverse of the "gull" has an impressed, repeating, cross hatched pattern. The solid reverse has two inset attachment prongs intact. Unmarked example.