Odd German medical armband

[Daniel Murphy]

I picked up this medical armband many years ago and just recently ran across it. I have never seen another one like it, and I presume it to be from some sort of Christian medical unit. I am fairly sure it is not TR and believe it to be from WW1, since there were many volunteer groups tending to the needs of the wounded. The cross is formed of many rows of chainstitched thread. I know it is not a military chaplains. Does anyone remember seeing another one and perhaps know what it is?

Dan Murphy

Edited May 7, 2006 by Daniel Murphy

[Daniel Murphy]

Ah yes, how do I know it is German? It is maker marked on the inside. The only word I can really make out is "Scharfenburg".

Edited May 7, 2006 by Daniel Murphy

[joe campbell]

dan-

looks great!

why could it not be chaplain, or a

chaplain attached to a medical group?

father mulcahey.... MASH?

joe

[Daniel Murphy]

Here is an example of a chaplain's armband. In this case a TR one, but WW1 was similar. I saw an imperial one at a show once. It was much higher quality and the Red Cross and purple band were in silk, as befitting an officer. The dealer was not at his table at the time and when I came back it was gone.

Dan Murphy

Edited May 8, 2006 by Daniel Murphy

[Chip]

Dan,

I can't say that I have seen one like this, but typically, imperial era armbands do not have makers marks. I have about seven different examples and none have maker's marks. To me, this is more typical of the 1930's and 40's. A few of mine do have ink stamps , but they are unit stamps, similar to the stamps on EK documents.

Chip

Here is an example of a chaplain's armband. In this case a TR one, but WW1 was similar. I saw an imperial one at a show once. It was much higher quality and the Red Cross and purple band were in silk, as befitting an officer. The dealer was not at his table at the time and when I came back it was gone.

Dan Murphy

[kyles bullets]

Luftschutz priests if I remember correctly. There is a leader type as well with red stripes on the top and bottom

[Mattyboy]

Hi Daniel,

I recently saw this example of an armband in wear circa. 1914-15. The photo forns part of an album from a member Feld-Flieger-Abteilung 7.

Best regards,

Matt.

[Mattyboy]

Let's see if this image is any better...

[Trajan]

Let's see if this image is any better...

 

I am pretty certain this is the uniform of the Freiwillige Sanitätskolonne, a volunteer organisation that usually worked in hospitals. The man is a veteran, clearly, but the white hat cover is the giveaway...

[Chip]

And, of course, he is not wearing a clergy armband.