BACKGROUND: On August 22ND 1942 the German army introduced a new system of camouflage sleeve rank insignia for wear by all NCO’s and Officer’s on clothing that normally wouldn't display any rank insignia, such as, winter uniforms, wind blouses, fatigue blouses, athletic suits, tropical shirts, etc.. The new camouflage sleeve rank insignia consisted of an assorted number of horizontal bars and oak-leave patterns with a green version for the ranks of Unteroffizier up to Oberst and a golden yellow version for the ranks of Generalmajor to Generalfeldmarschall. Following the army's lead the Waffen-SS adopted the camouflage sleeve rank insignia in February 1943 for wear on clothing with-out shoulder straps with green versions for the ranks of SS-Unterscharführer to SS-Oberführer and golden yellow versions for the ranks of SS-Brigadeführer to SS-Oberstgruppenführer.

PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION: Machine embroidered insignia feature a gold horizontal bar positioned below dual horizontal oak-leaves with two acorns, on a black wool base. Ex JP. Chantrain & Andrew Mollo collection. Rare!