Description
Product Description: This Luftwaffe Afrika Cuff Title is a very appealing example of this relatively scarce piece of insignia. This was not a campaign award, but rather identified this wearer of a member of a unit stationed in North Afrika. It is made of a finely woven wool badge cloth, with an attractive medium blue shade. There is no evidence of fading, and the color is bright. The front of the cuff title is emblazoned with the word “Afrika” in all capital letters. The letters are neatly machine embroidered in cream-colored thread. The embroidery is completely intact, with only slight age toning. The long edges of the cuff title are finished with factory type straight machine stitching. The reverse of this Luftwaffe Afrika Cuff Title is textbook, with folded badge cloth edges and a coarsely woven black fabric used as a backing for the embroidery. This desirable cuff title displays very nicely and is in excellent plus condition.
Historical Description: Cuff titles (Ärmelstreifen) are uniform accoutrements that have been used in the German military since the 19thcentury. Intended to foster a certain sense of ‘esprit de corps’ amongst members of the armed forces, they were authorized for wear by members of designated units for the duration of their service time within that unit. In the event of transfer out of the unit, the cuff title was to be removed from the service member’s uniform. During the Third Reich, the German military continued this tradition by instituting honorary cuff titles to certain ‘special’ formations. This practice is perhaps most well-known for its application amongst Waffen- ϟϟ units. Cuff titles were also authorized for wear within all branches of the Wehrmacht (Army, Air Force and Navy) as well. These unit-specific cuff titles are not to be confused with others, which were awarded for participation in a certain campaign. The tradition, within the German military of wearing cuff titles, continues into the 21st century with certain honor guard contingents of the Bundeswehr being permitted to wear unit-specific cuff titles.
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