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.

SA members who also held membership in the Stahlhelm (steel helmet) veterans organisation wore an insignia in the form of a black cloth diamond on the lower left sleeve. On the cloth backing was a steel helmet with the words "Der Stahlhelm" in black. The helmet was either in silver metal or it was machine-woven silver thread. This insignia was introduced in late 1934.