History

The SA (Sturmabteilung, storm detachment) was established in 1921 as a paramilitary protection squad of the NSDAP. The members of the SA were tasked with protecting party leaders at political rallies and meetings from the paramilitary forces of the opposing political factions. The SA was first utilised on November 4, 1921 at a meeting held in Munich’s "Hofbräuhaus" beer hall. The organisation was banned after the failed putsch in 1923 and was reactivated in February 1925.

The national eagle emblem in the form of the M29 political style, also worn by the NSDAP, was first introduced for wear on SA caps on April 9, 1931. It is silver-coloured and measure approximately 38x28mm.

The second form, the M36 eagle emblem was introduced for SA caps on June 28, 1937, gradually replacing the older model. It was made of silvered light weight metals, like aluminum, and during the war it was often made of pot metal or zinc. The eagle measures approximately 65x33mm. A gold-coloured version was introduced in May of 1938, which was first worn by Marine-SA members, and beginning in 1939 also by certain SA leaders.

In both forms, the eagle faces to its left.