WWII German Werkschutz Factory Protection armband

WWII German Werkschutz Factory Protection armband

This Service Werkschutz Armband is a great example of an armband that is not easy to find. The Werkschutz were a sort of factory protection police, employed by the factories but under the supervision of the Air Ministry. The Werkschutz (Factory Protection Police) was an organization created in 1938 to protect important industrial works, and factories. Consisting of of three branches:
Werkschutz – Factory Police
Werkschutz-Feuerwehr – Fire Protection
Wekluftschutz – Factory Air Raid Protection

Nearly every military, civil, political and paramilitary organization in existence during the Third Reich used armbands. Armbands were worn on military and civilian uniforms and also on civilian clothes, from suit jackets to work clothing. They were used to denote membership in organizations, to indicate a specific role or function of the bearer, and as insignia of rank. Many organizations would change the design of their armbands over time, which added to the variety produced. These were manufactured in countless variations, ranging from simple printed bands to elaborately hand-embroidered pieces of the highest quality. Some Nazi armbands were worn by all members of large organizations and were made by the millions. Others were intended for use at a specific time and place and were unique. Many types were made in very limited numbers. Some bore metal insignia or special identifiers that indicated the wearer’s rank, unit affiliation, or nationality. On rare occasion armbands were sometimes marked with ink stamps by the issuing authorities.