BACKGROUND: Originally shoulder straps for Allgemeine-SS, (General-SS), personnel 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-Totenkopfverbände, (SS-Deaths Head Units), which were to become the nucleus of the Waffen-SS. On their introduction the shoulder straps for both SS and SA personnel were basically identical. Although the Allgemeine-SS EM/NCO’s shoulder straps remained essentially consistent in design through-out the Third Reich era the shoulder boards for officer’s underwent three minor rank adjustments. This pattern shoulder board was worn on the right shoulder of the black service uniform and on both shoulders of the field and earth grey uniforms.

PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION: Sew on shoulder board consists of three, bright, interwoven, twisted silver/aluminum cords on a black wool base. Of Note: From May 1933 to October 1933 this shoulder board indicated the ranks of SS-Standartenführer to SS-Oberführer. From October 1933 until the end of the war the shoulder board indicated the ranks of SS-Sturmbannführer to SS-Standartenführer with the collar tabs worn signifying the specific rank.