BACKGROUND: Originally shoulder straps for Allgemeine-SS, (General-SS), EM/NCO’s were introduced on May 26TH 1933 at the same time as the SA ,Sturm Abteilung, (Storm Troops), shoulder straps were introduced. These first pattern shoulder straps were also worn by SS-VT, SS-Verfügungstruppe, (SS-Special Purpose Troops), and, SS-TK, SS-Totenkopf units, (SS-Deaths Head units), which were to become the nucleus of the Waffen-SS, (Armed-SS). In July 1935 the first army style shoulder straps for EM/NCO’s were introduced to distinguish the armed SS-VT and SS-TK personnel from the political Allgemeine-SS personnel. By 1938 the transition to army style shoulder straps was pretty much complete and these army style shoulder straps would be worn by all EM/NCO’s of the Waffen-SS. In 1939 the Waffen-SS adopted waffenfarben, (Branch of Service Colors), with each branch of service being allocated a specific identifying waffenfarbe, which was displayed as piping on the shoulder straps with golden yellow being chosen for Aufklärungs and Kavallerie, (Reconnaissance and Cavalry), personnel. Of Note: Originally NCO ranks utilized a bright silver/aluminum tress on their shoulder straps and collars until April 25TH 1940 when a new subdued matte blue/grey tress was introduced to replace the highly visible, silver/aluminum tress, although the change over was never complete accomplished.

PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION: Black wool construction, slip on shoulder strap with diamond patterned, NCO's tress to all but the slip on end and golden yellow rayon waffenfarbe piping. The bottom of the strap is in field-grey wool while the narrow slip on retaining tongue is in black wool with a black fabric reinforcement panel machine stitched to the reverse.