BACKGROUND: The SA, "Sturmabteilung" (Storm-troops), were originally formed in August of 1921 as a protective guard unit for the political leaders of the fledgling NSDAP, "Nationalsozialistische Deutsche Arbeiterpartei" (National-socialist German Worker’s-party). As with the Nazi party, the SA was structured along para-military lines. Most of its recruits were from the ranks of the various "Freikorps" groups of the day, composed mainly of disgruntled ex-soldiers, and they were first utilized at a Nazi party meeting in Munich in November of 1921. Shoulder straps were introduced for their uniforms in May of 1933, with significant changes made to them immediately before the outbreak of war. At that point, the use of two shoulders straps on the tunic and greatcoat was authorized. The use of gold chord for the ranks of Sturmbannführer through Standartenführer was discontinued in 1941.

PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION: Second pattern (1939) shoulder board comprised of three interwoven cords in silver rayon upon a stiff, light grey wool base, which extends along its edge to form visible piping. The colored base reflected the branch of service of the wearer rather than, as had earlier been the case, their individual group. Light grey was used by "Foot SA".