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.

PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION: Second pattern (1939) shoulder board. The upper surface of the board is comprised of dual rows of doubled brown-colored cord, segmented with narrow silver-aluminum chevrons, as worn by all enlisted and non-commissioned officer ranks. Lemon yellow wool backing for Signals.