BACKGROUND: Originally shoulder straps for Allgemeine-SS EM/NCO’s were introduced on May 26TH 1933 at the same time as the SA 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. In July 1935 the first army style shoulder straps 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. Waffenfarbe colors were adopted by the Waffen-SS in 1939. 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: Sew on shoulder board of matte silver/aluminum Russian braid, with a stamped caduceus, (Serpent intertwined on a staff) and single rank pip on a cornflower blue wool waffenfarbe on a black wool base. The shoulder board represent rank of SS-Obersturmführer serving in a medical unit.