An exceptional unissued original Third Reich SS Former Member of the Police Sleeve Diamond (Ärmelraute für ehemalige Polizeiangehörige). This scarce insignia identified SS personnel who had previously served with the German Police before transferring into the Schutzstaffel (SS). Collectors highly prize these sleeve diamonds because comparatively few survived in unissued condition.
€ 450
1 in stock
An exceptional unissued original Third Reich SS Former Member of the Police Sleeve Diamond (Ärmelraute für ehemalige Polizeiangehörige). This scarce insignia identified SS personnel who had previously served with the German Police before transferring into the Schutzstaffel (SS). Collectors highly prize these sleeve diamonds because comparatively few survived in unissued condition.
This example remains in outstanding, unissued condition and retains all of its original wartime characteristics. Consequently, it represents an excellent opportunity to acquire a difficult-to-find piece of original SS insignia.
The sleeve diamond features the distinctive Police eagle above an oakleaf wreath enclosing the swastika, all executed in fine silver-grey machine embroidery on the correct black wool backing. The embroidery remains crisp, with sharp feather detail and excellent definition throughout.
The reverse retains its original buckram stiffener together with the correct folded black rayon backing. Furthermore, the factory stitching remains completely intact. No evidence of wear, restoration or post-war alteration is present.
The SS introduced the Former Member of the Police Sleeve Diamond to recognise personnel who had previously served in the Ordnungspolizei (Order Police) before entering the SS. The insignia acknowledged earlier police service and reflected the close relationship that developed between the SS and German Police organisations during the Third Reich.
The sleeve diamond was worn on the lower left sleeve of the uniform and formed part of the SS’s complex system of specialist insignia. Consequently, it remains one of the more unusual and less frequently encountered pieces of SS uniform insignia.
Collectors actively seek original SS sleeve diamonds because relatively few were manufactured compared with standard SS insignia. Moreover, many examples were removed from uniforms or lost during the war and post-war occupation.
Unissued examples such as this rarely appear on the market. Therefore, this insignia represents an outstanding addition to any advanced collection of SS, Police or Third Reich uniform insignia.
This sleeve diamond remains in excellent unissued condition. The embroidery retains exceptional detail and original colour, while the black wool backing remains clean and undamaged. In addition, the reverse preserves its original buckram stiffener, folded rayon backing and factory stitching. Overall, this is a superb collector-grade example with outstanding display appeal.
For additional historical information, visit the Imperial War Museums, the German Historical Museum and the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum encyclopedia.
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