History

The headgear, uniforms, and insignia worn by members of the Kriegsmarine were based upon the designs utilized by the Kaiserliche Marine and the Reichsmarine. The official regulations governing the uniforms of the Reichsmarine were issued on April 5, 1921, and they were embraced, with a few alterations, as the Kriegsmarine uniforms in 1935. New guidelines concerning rank insignia were issued in 1936.

The wear of Dress Aiguillettes began in 1925 but was abolished on May 7, 1940.

The dress aiguillettes were initially worn by Flag Officers, such as Konteradmirals, Vizeadmirals, and Admirals. The aiguillettes were worn on the informal and formal dress attire, the formal uniform, and the service attire when ordered to do so. The personnel allowed to wear these aiguillettes were expanded in 1933, to include Naval Attaches, and again in 1939, to include Officers below the rank of Flag Officer, such as Bandmasters, at parades.

The first pattern of dress aiguillettes was established in 1925, and this pattern was worn during the first few years of the Third Reich. These early aiguilettes feature one braided section of gold-coloured cords and two sling cords.

The second pattern of the dress aiguillettes was introduced in June 1935 and worn until they were discontinued in 1940. These aiguilettes feature a more elaborate design, with two gold-coloured, braided sections that end in ferrules and two sling cords.