Early SS breast eagle

This Original Early SS breast eagle is an authentic machine-embroidered SS Hoheitsabzeichen, produced in silver-grey rayon thread on a black wool backing for wear on the Allgemeine-SS black service tunic during the late 1930s and early years of the Second World War.

€ 200

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Original Early SS Breast Eagle

This Original Early SS breast eagle is an authentic machine-embroidered SS Hoheitsabzeichen, produced in silver-grey rayon thread on a black wool backing for wear on the Allgemeine-SS black service tunic during the late 1930s and early years of the Second World War.

The eagle displays the elegant proportions associated with the early SS pattern. Its long horizontal wings, compact body and suspended wreath enclosing the swastika distinguish it from many later wartime variations. Furthermore, the fine machine embroidery retains excellent feather definition and reflects the high manufacturing standards expected from pre-war German insignia producers.

Unlike later simplified wartime examples, this pattern exhibits refined embroidery and balanced proportions, making it especially attractive to collectors of early SS uniform insignia.

Historical Background

The Early SS breast eagle became standard wear for members of the Allgemeine-SS during the mid-1930s. Sewn above the right breast pocket of the famous black service tunic, it formed one of the principal symbols of the organisation before wartime changes introduced revised uniform patterns.

As the SS expanded rapidly between 1935 and 1940, embroidered breast eagles were produced by several authorised manufacturers using high-quality rayon thread on black wool. Many examples were removed from uniforms after 1945, making untouched originals increasingly difficult to acquire today.

Construction

This example features:

  • Original machine embroidery.
  • Silver-grey rayon thread.
  • Black wool backing.
  • Early Allgemeine-SS pattern.
  • Long-wing configuration.
  • Suspended wreath and swastika.
  • Hand-cut outline.
  • Original period construction.

The embroidery remains crisp throughout, while the wool backing retains the correct texture associated with period manufacture.

Condition

The insignia remains in good original condition with honest service wear. Light fraying is visible around parts of the embroidered edge, while the rayon thread has acquired an attractive period tone. The overall appearance remains strong, and the eagle displays excellent definition across the wings, body and wreath.

Collectability

Original Early SS breast eagles remain among the most recognisable cloth insignia of the Third Reich. Because many surviving examples were removed from uniforms following the war, authentic pieces continue to command strong interest among collectors of SS uniforms, cloth insignia and German militaria.

Early examples with correct machine embroidery and black wool backing are particularly sought after because they represent the classic pre-war Allgemeine-SS pattern.

Why Collect This Early SS Breast Eagle?

  • Original Allgemeine-SS insignia.
  • Pre-war and early wartime pattern.
  • Fine machine-embroidered construction.
  • Correct silver-grey rayon thread.
  • Black wool backing.
  • Excellent display and restoration piece.
  • Increasingly scarce on the collector’s market.

Related items

Explore related listings: Insignia, Shoulder Boards and Breast Eagles.

References and further reading

For further research, consult:

  • John R. Angolia – Cloth Insignia of the SS
  • Andrew Mollo – Uniforms of the SS
  • Robin Lumsden – A Collector’s Guide to the Allgemeine-SS
  • Brian L. Davis – German Army Uniforms and Insignia 1933–1945
  • Deutsches Historisches Museum (Berlin) – comparative examples of German cloth insignia.
  • Imperial War Museums (London) – collections of original German military uniforms and insignia.

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