History

Foreign volunteers serving with the Waffen-SS were divided into ethnically based formations, although oftentimes several ethnic groups or nationalities were combined into a single unit. Arm shields were used to identify the nationality of a unit's members and they often incorporated a nation’s flag or a relevant cultural or ethnic symbol.

The shields were worn on the upper or lower left sleeve, although eastern troops often wore the shields on the right sleeve.

Initially, many of the shields were produced locally but the manufacturing process was later standardised by the RZM. All officially produced shields were machine-embroidered and the majority were produced by the firm Tröltsch & Hanselmann, Berlin.

There are often numerous versions or patterns of a sleeve shield.

Around 1,180 to 3,000 Finns served in the Waffen-SS, primarily in the Finnisches Freiwilligen-Bataillon der Waffen-SS and the SS Division 'Wiking'. Finnish volunteers were issued shields that featured the Finnish coat of arms, a crowned lion with an armoured hand wielding a sword. The first pattern arm shield has a black background and was cut in a square-like shape. The second pattern was cut in shield shape and features a red background.