LW trade patches question

[Peter J.]

I added another trade patch to my collection the other day, thanks Bruce and when looking in my Bender book "Luftwaffe", I noticed something odd.
This is what Roger has to say: The badges were in matt-grey embroidery on blue-grey backing. In place of the standard issue, NCOs and men could purchase matt-grey, hand-embroided badges for wear."
Does this make any sense, wouldn't hand-embroided be in metal-thread (like the one posted below)? I also made a shot of the vast variety of cords.

KR
Peter

[Gene]

Hello Peter,

Nice looking examples you have there! Personally, I have seen private purchase trade badges (especially Flak, flight technical, range finder and sound locator personnel) in bullion as well as thick, ropey thread. I don't own any of these myself, but I have handled many and know they're completely original.

Gene

[Peter J.]

Thanks Gene . Still the statement from Roger is a bit vague. The metal bullion insignia and badges were to be worn exclusively by Officers (with the exception of Oberfänrich when we're talking rank insignia). Roger makes no distinction between NCOs and men on the hand-embroided version, leaving the metal version eligble to Officers. Would it be plausible that Officers had the ranks of the Trade Patches instituted? Perhaps the metal version was ment for NCOs?

KR
Peter

[Gene]

Off the top of my head I don't remember seeing any trade badges worn by officers. I could be wrong, as maybe I just never noticed!

[Peter J.]

Gene, that makes sense. I've always thought the metal embroidery patches were ment for NCOs and that Roger's comment is incorrect. There are more aspects to this issue, but can anyone else confirm this assumption please?

KR
Peter