WW2 German Waffen SS Sleeve Eagle

The WW2 German Waffen SS Sleeve Eagle was a cloth insignia worn by members of the Waffen-SS on the upper left sleeve of the uniform tunic. This emblem typically featured an outstretched eagle clutching a swastika within a wreath, rendered in silver-grey or white thread on a dark backing, often in black or field-grey fabric to match the uniform. The design was standardized, though minor variations exist based on manufacturer and period. The sleeve eagle served as an identifying symbol of the Waffen-SS, the armed wing of the SS, which was active throughout World War II. Issued from the early 1930s until 1945, these insignia were produced in large quantities and were integral to the uniform regulations of SS personnel. The eagle motif itself was a common symbol used in various forms across the German military, tailored to denote specific branches or units. The Waffen-SS sleeve eagle remains a notable example of period insignia.