BACKGROUND: Due to a lack of specially trained personnel in the Waffen-SS, in November 1941, Reichsführer-SS Heinrich Himmler, following the Army’s lead, developed a specialist group of personnel, designated SS-Sonderführer/Sonderunterführer, (Special Officer/NCO). These specialist personnel were given unique positions as opposed to ranks, and performed specific administrative, legal and technical duties equivalent to that of Waffen-SS NCO or Officer’s ranks. In June 1942 the position titles were changed to SS-Fachführer/Fachunterführer, (Specialist Officer/NCO), and new rank insignia was introduced. These specialists performed a wide variety of functions in one of nine possible assignments. On December 1ST 1942 eight new identifying duty assignment sleeve diamonds were introduced to distinguish the specific assignment of the personnel. In February 1943 the ninth identifying duty assignment sleeve diamond for SS/Polizei Affairs Specialist in the National Security Central Office was introduced.

PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION: Vertical black wool diamond base with machine embroidered SS runes positioned above a wreathed police eagle in silver/grey threads. The reverse of the black wool base retains almost all of its off-white glue like protective backing. Extremely hard one to find.