BACKGROUND: The wearing of trade or speciality badges was an old tradition in the German army and was adopted by the Waffen-SS to distinguish personnel who had successful completed the appropriate training courses. Initially Waffen-SS personnel wore the circular army pattern insignia, but eventually developed their own diamond patterned insignia. Originally the sleeve diamonds utilized by the SS were done in silver/aluminum threads for all personnel for wear on the black service uniform. With the introduction of the field-grey uniform all ranks were to wear the insignia produced in the silver grey threads, and the silver/aluminum versions were to be worn by Officers with the walking-out dress. The trade/specialty insignia was to be worn on the lower left sleeve of the field blouse and the service tunic and this example indicates a qualified medical orderly.

PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION: Elongated vertical, black wool diamond base with a machine embroidered, outline of a caduceus, (serpent entwined on a staff), in silver/grey threads with a black interior.