BACKGROUND: The wearing of trade or specialty badges was an old tradition in the German army and was adopted by the Waffen-SS to distinguish personnel who had successful completed the appropriate training courses. Initially Waffen-SS personnel wore the circular army pattern insignia, but eventually developed their own diamond patterned insignia. Originally the sleeve diamonds utilized by the SS were done in silver/aluminum threads for all personnel for wear on the black service uniform. With the introduction of the field-grey uniform all ranks were to wear the insignia produced in the silver grey threads, and the silver/aluminum versions were to be worn by Officers with the walking-out dress.

PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION: Vertical black wool diamond with machine embroidered Latin script capital, "S", in silver/grey threads, indicating Schirrmeister, (Transport Sergeant). The insignia is in overall excellent unissued condition.