1939, second-pattern, sew-on Sturmabteilung ‘Foot Regiment’ field grade officer's shoulder board worn by the ranks of Sturmbannführer to Standartenführer from 1940-1945. After 1940, they were worn in pairs. It features a multi-piece construction with the top portion having off-white cellophan twisted-cord construction, with a cardboard base and internal metal wire stiffener that is covered with a light grey wool material. It has a riveted button hole to the bottom and shows period age wear throughout. Nice, clean obverse, measuring approximately 4 inches tall by 1.5 inch wide. Single. Exc.

History

The Sturmabteilung (SA) literally: Storm Department) functioned as the original paramilitary wing of the Nazi Party (NSDAP). It played a significant role in the 1920s and 1930s. Their primary purposes were providing protection for Nazi rallies and assemblies, disrupting the meetings of opposing parties, fighting against the paramilitary units of the opposing parties, especially the Red Front Fighters League (Rotfrontkämpferbund) of the Communist Party of Germany (KPD).

The SA have come to be known in contemporary times as "Brownshirts" (Braunhemden) from the color of their uniform shirts, similar to Benito Mussolini's blackshirts. The SA developed pseudo-military titles for its members. The SA ranks were adopted by several other Nazi Party groups, chief amongst them the Schutzstaffel (SS), which originated as a branch of the SA before being separated. Brown-coloured shirts were chosen as the SA uniform because a large batch of them were cheaply available after World War I, having originally been ordered during the war for colonial troops posted to Germany's former African colonies.

The SA became a mere shadow of itself the "blood purge" of 1934. This event became known as the Night of the Long Knives (Die Nacht der langen Messer). The SA was effectively superseded by the SS, although it was not formally dissolved until after the Third Reich's final capitulation to the Allied powers in 1945.

The Videos below are for historical refernce, and meant to provide a view of the uniforms, insignia and accoutrements of the SA.