Special Feldherrnhalle Insignia

In June 1937, the SA-Stabschef (Chief of Staff) ordered the institution of a special insignia to be worn by qualified former members of the elite SA-Standarte "Feldherrnhalle." His order
appeared in the “Veordungsblatt der Obersten SA-Fuhrung," 7. Jahrgang, Nummer 8, 7 June 1937, p. 52, para.149. It read as follows:

149. Re: Insignia for SA men who have left the Regiment "Feldherrnhalle." F 2b 13735.

1. SA men honorably leaving the Regiment "Feldherrnhalle” will join the SA unit of their prospective place of residence. However, during the time of the annual Reich Party Day, they are available to the Regiment "Feldherrnhnlle" for several days of training.

2. The commander of the Regiment "Feldherrnhalle" may award the SA men referred to in Number 1 the privilege of wearing the regiment’s insignia.

3. The insignia consists of an oval piece of material 7cm high, made of brown cloth, with the 5cm emblem of the Regiment "Feldherrnhnlle." It is worn on the left forearm of the SA service uniform.

4. The commander of the Regiment "Feldherrnhalle" will issue authorization to wear the insignia. The authorization is renewed annually, on the occassion of the Reich Party Day, by the commander of the Regiment "Feldherrnhalle."

5. The insignia is provided free of charge the first time. Additional insignia are to be obtained from the Regiment "Feldherrnhalle" administrative office upon payment.

Illustration [1] is a copy of the original order instituting this new insignia. [2] is an original unissued specimen of the insignia, with paper RZM tag. This example is machine—woven in aluminum thread in the so-called "BeVo" style. [3] shows a variant example which consists of a silver-colored metal "Feldherrnhalle" rune attached to a brown wool base. The metal rune is identical to those worn on the right-side collar tabs of active members of Regiment "Feldherrnhalle."

No original period photographs showing this insignia in actual wear have so far come to light. Since wear of the insignia had to be individually authorized by the "Feldherrnhalle" commander
(rather than automatically applying to all men who left the unit), it may not have been widely issued. Also, since the instituting order tied the insignia to annual reauthorization at the Reichsparietag rallies, and the last such Party Congress occurred in September 1938, it is
possible that the insignia may have been discontinued at that time. Aside from the cited original order, it was apparently never again mentioned in any subsequent SA or NSDAP publications.

Finally, [4] is a photograph showing an active—duty SA-Mann (Private) of the SA—Standarte "Feldherrnhalle" in the regimental uniform. Note the runic device on his right collar tab, identical in design to that on this virtually unknown insignia for former members.

Thanks are extended to W.P.B.R. Saris for providing a copy of the original SA order, to Philip B. Carson for making available the specimen shown in [3], to Wilfred Uhlmann Bradach for translating the order, and to Hugh Page Taylor for prividing photo [4].

Clyde R. Davis, Special Insignia for Former Members of the SA-Standarte "Feldherrnhalle", The Military Advisor, 2005

The RZM and the SA

The RZM (Reichzeugmeisterei) was the regulatory agency which governed the manufacture and sale of all Political insignia, uniforms and uniform equipment for the various Parly Organizations. The RZM controlled licensing and design specifications for the numerous manufacturers and sales facilities. The RZM itself did little actual construction of insignia. This was limited primarily to the development of Muster (construction examples) for the manufacturing firms. It should be noted, however, that even the construction of Muster was usually contracted out to a highly reputable firm with the actual work receiving final approval from the RZM. Original Muster insignia issued by the RZM is difficult to find and is a fine addition to any collection. RZM Muster insignia should have a specific tag marking it as such. For example, a set of collar tabs constructed as a Muster would normally be attached with a multicolored cord fastened together by a round metal seal approximately one half inch in diameter. The seal displayed the RZM logo on one side and an item code number or description on the other. The Muster tags can also found in cloth and in paper variations depending on the type of insignia involved.

Primary manufacturers were required to place RZM tags (normally paper) on each item which they manufactured under RZM specifications. The tag indicated the firms RZM number, individual tag number, and license cost. The license cost was designated by the color of printing on the tag and also by a letter code on later tags.

The placement of the RZM labels on the insignia was also regulated. It was a requirement that a label be placed on each piece of insignia which was produced. Despite the rules it was common practice for the RZM label to be attached only to the left collar tab when a pair was completed and only one tag to a pair of shoulder boards. The following photos are provided to give the collector an idea of the general appearance and placement of the RZM labels on SA insignia.

David Fuller,"Collectors Guide to Sturmabteilung Insignia", Postal Instant Press, 1985