Definitely original - but is it really SS?

[GREG E.]

I recently plucked a nice little grouping out of the south-central Virginia woodwork. One of the items in the group was a large scrap-book that was chok-blok full of photos, papers, postcards, and patches related to a U.S. officer's WW2 service time. The item in the scrap-book that intrigued me most was a Nazi armband that the veteran noted as having been picked up in Dijon, France.

As you can see, this cotton (not wool) armband features the typical black borders, so I would like to classify it as an SS armband - but the interior features a blue-ink "NSDAP-style" paper label which makes me hesitate. Is this really an SS armband? Or is there another explanation?

I'm interested to hear some intelligent opinions!

[N.C. Wyeth]

All we have left now, are clues from the past . . .

Who will ever know if the armband was genuinely utilized by a Member of the SS? But one thing may be certain - the Veteran knew where he picked it up. We have all seen so many strange things come out of storage - and all completely genuine, and un-touched or nefarious in any fashion. This armband could be explained so many ways . . . but to me, what would be more intriguing - would be to know the history behind where the Vet served. How would a album from Okinawa be tossed into the mix? Sometimes you have to look at the whole of the hoard, as it was discovered. Certainly possible, the situation - and the history behind this clue could provide even more evidence to prove the authenticity of the armband . . . of which I doubt is any way nefarious - judging by the initial presentation you offer in judgement.

[Sonderkommando]

Hi,
Nice grouping!

The armband is an original NSDAP band that has had the black borders added...probably in my opinion by the original owner.
I like it for what it is, and would accept it as being period done. It looks the part.

[Robert H]

there was so much used back then even when it was not acc. official regulations.

[GREG E.]

Okinawa & Memoirs

Ah! The Okinawa album belonged to the veteran's daughter. She served as an army nurse in the mid-1960's.

Fortunately, this grouping contains the veteran's WW2 memoirs (bottom left in the first photo of this thread)- 185 type-written pages of them!

I have not yet had the chance to read the memoirs, but it is indeed very possible that the story of the armband is in there somewhere. I will keep everyone posted!

Who will ever know if the armband was genuinely utilized by a Member of the SS? But one thing may be certain - the Veteran knew where he picked it up. We have all seen so many strange things come out of storage - and all completely genuine, and un-touched or nefarious in any fashion. This armband could be explained so many ways . . . but to me, what would be more intriguing - would be to know the history behind where the Vet served. How would a album from Okinawa be tossed into the mix? Sometimes you have to look at the whole of the hoard, as it was discovered. Certainly possible, the situation - and the history behind this clue could provide even more evidence to prove the authenticity of the armband . . . of which I doubt is any way nefarious - judging by the initial presentation you offer in judgement.

[DonC]

I agree with Sonderkommando that it is a party armband with the added black borders. When I first saw it I noticed the somewhat amateurish application of the borders. I see no reason that it is not 100% period done.


Don