SS or SA medic ?

[Pitomnik]

Hi !
This "Snake" was found in Stalingrad "Kessel "!
But why - MM "RZM 52" (Deschler) ?
SS or SA ?
Any opinion please !
Thanks !

[Mainemilitaria]

Just guessing, of course.....but these could have been shipped into the Stalingrad pocket by mistake.....or possibly for use by Civilian Doctors/medical staff.....as I have seen photos of Civilian Dr.s wearing these type emblems on thier collars (not in Stalingrad....of course).

Anything is possible.....but technically these were reserved for SA/Political types and were "obsolete" before the start of the war.

Never know what you'll dig up....litterally!
John G.

[C. Betz]

"Snake"

The insignia presented is The rod of Asclepius (sometimes also spelled Asklepios or Aesculapius), also known as the asklepian. Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rod_of_Asclepius .

Though it is valid and correct insignia for SS medical personnel, usually officers; there is no reason to assume it is for SS troops in the Stalingrad "Kessel" (Cauldron) since there were no SS units involved in that battle. Also, likewise the SA.

The insignia is, however, appropriate for Heer and Luftwaffe units assigned to that campaign.

Charles Betz

[Winkelman]

I think that it is appropriate that at this very turn of events , even the manufacturers of insignia stopped looking at the reverse of their insignia , to decide where they would be allocated .
Also notice that one of the buttons has actually - God forbid - been stepped on , causing the ring segment to penetrate through the front - nowadays a clear sign of a reproduction button , according to some .. ?

[Pitomnik]

Thanks Gent's !
But my question is - Really it was made for SS or SA - the special order? Because similar emblems come across at us, but without "RZM".

[Doug Kenwright]

Many thousands of Wehrmacht personnel had served either in the SS or SA prewar; who's to say that one was not a doctor in a previous career , one that carried his insignia over to his new uniform..

[Pitomnik]

OK , thanks.
One more question !
Is this made - special for SS,SA ? Or this type ( big & RZM ) - for ALL other unit may be ?