WWII WW2 German SS Medical Trade Patch

Description

SS medical personnel trade patch with black wool backing and machine embroidered silver/grey threads.  The wearing of specific, identifying, trade or specialty badges was an old tradition in the German army and was adopted by the Waffen-SS to distinguish personnel who had successful completed the appropriate course and had achieved proficiency at a particular trade, specialty or function. Initially Waffen-SS personnel wore the circular army pattern insignia, but eventually developed their own diamond patterned insignia. The trade/specialty insignia was to be worn on the lower left sleeve of the field blouse and the service tunic by qualified personnel.