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 SA Armband was introduced in around 1922, or potentially even earlier. In the early 1920s, the SA did not have a standard uniform and the only item that created unity between the troops was a red armband (Kampfbinde) that featured a white circle with a black swastika in the centre. The armband was worn on the upper left sleeve of the brown shirt, service tunic, and greatcoat.

Although the early SA did not have an established ranking system, group leaders were permitted to wear a gold stripe in the centre of their armband. In addition, Zugführer were permitted to wear two silver stripes in the centre, and Hundertschaftsführer were allowed to wear three silver stripes in the centre.

SA Armbands often feature a unit control stamp in ink.