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.

Members of SA Schützenstandarte 1 in group Hochland wore a former Freikorps membership cloth diamond with a lion's head on a round bronze backing.
A black diamond was worn by former members of Schützenbrigade 21 of Freikorps Ritter von Epp.
A blue diamond was worn by former members of other Freikorps formations.
A green diamond was worn by former members of the Freikorps in Ohrdruf.
Officers had gold-coloured piping around their cloth diamond.
Those that were not former Freikorps members wore a dark green diamond.