History

Cuff titles could serve several different purposes. They were used as commemorative or traditions insignia, or identifying the wearer as part of an elite unit. They were also used as career/role insignia. Some cuff titles were awarded to soldiers taking part in certain campaigns, making them the equivalent of a campaign medal. These are more accurately known as sleeve bands.

Cuff titles were mostly worn on the right sleeve, however, there were many exceptions to this rule.

This cuff title was worn on the left sleeve by army personnel of Hitler’s military headquarters. It was not to be worn outside the headquarters. It is a black band with golden-yellow Gothic letters, with a gold-coloured top and bottom stripe. The word is hyphenated to “Führer-Hauptquartier”. There are also examples with silver-grey letters and stripes.
A second pattern was introduced on January 15, 1941. It has silver-coloured stripes and Sütterlin letters, and the word is no longer hyphenated.