BACKGROUND: The NSDAP had utilized the basic identifying swastika armbands as early as 1922 to be worn by party members at all rallies or political functions. Shortly afterwards, (circa 1923), Political Leader’s began wearing a new pattern armband with additional stripes that indicated functional positions within the party. In 1939 a second pattern of Political Leader’s armbands were introduced which denoted administrative or operational functions and level of government.

PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION: Armband features a heavy red wool base with central, white, ribbed rayon circular field with canted, black rayon tape swastika to center. Both the white circular field and the swastika are bordered in gilt wire threads and swastika has a gilt washed alloy political style rank pip to center. The armband has a central, machine woven, horizontal strip of repeating gilt flat-wire oak-leaves, with dual gilt wire piping borders to both top and bottom edges. Top and bottom of armband is bordered in light blue rayon piping with a secondary gilt wire piping. Armband represents an Ortsgruppenleiter (Local group leader), and was the highest rank at the Ortsgruppe level. Shows the expected age and use.