German Waffen-SS Sturmmann’s Tropical Rank Sleeve Chevron

The insignia consists of a single, “V” shaped, machine woven, diamond patterned, tress chevron, in subdued, golden/tan rayon with interwoven, fine, black stripes, near both the inner and outer edges, machine stitched on a black wool base, which tapers down to a pointed tip.

On December 22ND 1920 the Weimar era Reichsheer instituted a system of sleeve rank insignia for enlisted personnel which remained in effect until the newly formed Wehrmacht Heer introduced a new system on September 25th 1936. In March 1938 the Allgemeine-SS adopted the Wehrmacht style rank chevrons for enlisted ranks with minor variations and this in turn was carried over to the Waffen-SS on its inception. Originally the tress chevrons were worked in bright silver/aluminum wire threads until regulations of April 25th 1940 introduced a new less visible subdued tress of matte blue/grey rayon for wear on the field uniform and a subdued golden tan rayon tress for wear on the tropical uniform although the change over was never completely achieved.

Note: The Allgemeine-SS and the SD abolished the use of rank chevrons on January 17th 1942 but they were still utilized by the Waffen-SS until the end of the war. Army regulations of April 25th 1940 dictated the base color of the rank insignia was to match the color of the uniform being worn and as a result Panzer Gefreiter’s also wore this type of rank chevron.