Feldherrnhalle Cuff Title | Unique Probe Piece

Grenadier Regiment "Feldherrnhalle"

Undoubtedly the 'Holy Grail' for many collectors, is to have at least one example of the unique Probe (master) pieces. These high quality pre-production examples, would be the benchmark for production pieces. This is the Probe for the Grenadier Regiment "Feldherrnhalle" cuff title, produced in 1942.

The type 2, machine-woven Feldherrnhalle cuff title with fine narrow style silver-aluminium borders, on a brown band. The silver-aluminium woven Feldherrnhalle name in script form. Length longer than most production pieces, at 50cm. A 'B' rated RZM stores label attached to the reverse.

Attached to one end, a large hard card Probe label. The card stating this to be a Probe for the cuff title for Grenadier regiment "Feldherrnhalle". By instruction of the German Army Headquarters in berlin, 20.11.1942. The reverse of the Probe card bearing the typical red wax seal for the German Army.

Condition report: The cuff title surviving in excellent to mint condition. Full length. The RZM paper label with creases to the edges. The hard card Probe likewise surviving in excellent towards mint condition. 

Provenance: Found in Germany during 1945 by a serving American officer. Acquired from him by the well-known American insignia collector, Lyn Gamelson, from Missouri. The Gamelson collection sold during the 1990s, one collection since.

Background to the SA-Feldherrnhalle: The SA-Standarte Feldherrnhalle was formed in 1935 and renamed Feldherrnhalle in 1936. It was the elite unit of the SA and guarded important SA, state and party offices. The unit's headquarters were in Berlin and battalions of the unit were stationed in Berlin, Hannover, Hattingen, Krefeld, Munich, Ruhr, Stetten and Stuttgart. It was one of the units that entered Austria in March 1938 and it was placed under the control of the Wehrmacht in September 1938. In February 1939 most of Feldherrnhalle was transferred to the Luftwaffe (where it was incorporated into the fallschirmjäger-units). Another part of the unit was brought into the German Army, and became Grenadier Regiment "Feldherrnhalle". A small element of the original SA Feldherrnhalle remained, undertaking duties within Germany.