2019 New! Check our easy to use site www.originalgermanmilitaria.com >>>
PC002. Bevo Police Cap Insignia. Un-Issued minty Bevo Police Cap Insignia for the M-43 Cap being a vet-estate purchase. I have very few of these left, all in excellent condition. See pictures...$ 75.00 (Pictures)
PC003. Police EM/NCO's Cap Eagle, Dark Blue. Great looking and scarce bevo Police EM/NCO's Cap Eagle, Dark Blue as worn by Postal employees before they received another style insignia and also on Fire Protection Caps. See pictures...$ 55.00 (Pictures)
PC008. Fire Protection Police Sleeve Insignia. Nice looking wool Fire Protection Police Sleeve Insignia. See pictures...$ 60.00 (Pictures)
PC010. Fire Protection Police Sleeve Insignia. Nice looking wool Fire Protection Police Sleeve Insignia. See pictures...$ 60.00 (Pictures)
PC011. Fire Protection Police Sleeve Insignia. Nice looking wool Fire Protection Police Sleeve Insignia. See pictures...$ 60.00 (Pictures)
PC016. Fire Protection Police Sleeve Insignia. Nice looking wool Fire Protection Police Sleeve Insignia. See pictures...$ 60.00 (Pictures) SOLD
PC017. Fire Protection Police Sleeve Insignia. Nice looking wool Fire Protection Police Sleeve Insignia. See pictures...$ 60.00 (Pictures)
PC018. Fire Protection Police Sleeve Insignia. Nice looking wool Fire Protection Police Sleeve Insignia. See pictures...$ 60.00 (Pictures)
PC021. Fire Protection Police "Werkfeurwehr" Sleeve Insignia. Nice looking wool Fire Protection Police "Werkfeurwehr" Sleeve Insignia. See pictures...$ 60.00 (Pictures)
PC024. Fire Protection Police "Werkfeurwehr" Sleeve Insignia. Nice looking wool Fire Protection Police "Werkfeurwehr" Sleeve Insignia. See pictures...$ 60.00 (Pictures)
PC029. Fire Protection Police Sleeve Insignia on Ribbed Wool. Nice looking wool Fire Protection Police Sleeve Insignia on Ribbed Wool Material. See pictures...$ 60.00 (Pictures)
PC049. Fire Protection "Werkfeurwehr" Sleeve Insignia. Nice looking wool Fire Protection "Werkfeurwehr" Sleeve Insignia. See pictures...$ 75.00 (Pictures)
PC080. Fire Protection Police Shoulder Board. Nice looking Fire Protection Police Shoulder Board. See pictures...$ 20.00 (Pictures) SOLD
PC090. Police ( Schutzpolizei) EM/NCO's Sleeve Eagle, Tunic-Removed. Nice looking wool Police EM/NCO's Sleeve Eagle being a tunic-removed example. See pictures...$ 85.00 (Pictures) NEW
PC123. Pair of Fire Protection Police Shoulder Boards. See pictures...$ 40.00 (Pictures) NEW SOLD
PC128. Police Officer's Sleeve Eagle. Great looking Police Officer's Sleeve Eagle, being done in hand-embroidered bullion on wool with this example being in excellent condition. See pictures...$ 295.00 (Pictures) JUST IN SOLD
PC136. Fire Protection Police "Werkfeurwehr" Sleeve Insignia. Nice looking wool Fire Protection Police "Werkfeurwehr" Sleeve Insignia. See pictures...$ 60.00 (Pictures) JUST IN
PC146. Police Officer's Cap Eagle, Flatwire. Great looking un-issued example. See pictures...$ 125.00 (Pictures) JUST IN
PC148. Police EM/NCO's Cap Eagle, Dark Blue. Worn on the overseas cap. See pictures...$ 40.00 (Pictures) JUST IN
PC151. Police Officer's Sleeve Insignia. Hand embroidered bullion on police green wool. See pictures...$ 250.00 (Pictures) JUST IN
PC152. Police Officer's Sleeve Insignia on Piece of Tunic. Hand embroidered bullion on police green wool. Beautiful cut-off. See pictures...$ 350.00 (Pictures) JUST IN SOLD
PC154. Police Officer's Sleeve Insignia. Hand embroidered bullion on police green wool. Removed from a vet's scrapbook. See pictures...$ 250.00 (Pictures) JUST IN
PC156. Water Protection Police Sleeve Eagle. Gold on blue. See pictures...$ 95.00 (Pictures) JUST IN SOLD
PC160. SCHUTZPOLIZEI Collar Tabs. See pictures...$ 45.00 (Pictures) JUST IN SOLD
PC162. SCHUTZPOLIZEI Police Eagle on "mottled" Orange/Green HBT. For summer tunic. See pictures...$ 150.00 (Pictures) JUST IN
PC165. Police EM/NCO's Sleeve Eagle. Machine embroidered wool example. See pictures... SOLD (Pictures) JUST IN SOLD
PC166. Police Officer's Sleeve Eagle. Great looking Police Officer's Sleeve Eagle, being done in hand-embroidered bullion on wool with this example being in excellent condition for its age. See pictures...$ 250.00 (Pictures) JUST IN
PC167. Police Schutzpolizei Shoulder Boards. See pictures...$ 50.00 (Pictures) JUST IN SOLD
To order please email John at or
I am always interested in purchasing anything that you may have available for sale.
Please email me at or or call John at (office) or (cell) describing the item(s) that you have.
2019 New! Check our easy to use site www.originalgermanmilitaria.com >>>
Police Cloth Insignia During the Third Reich
The German police forces of the Third Reich were a complex apparatus, unified under the control of the SS in 1936 but retaining distinct branch identities. Cloth insignia served as critical markers of rank, branch, and unit, and they were manufactured to exacting standards. The most commonly encountered police cloth insignia include cap eagles, sleeve eagles, sleeve patches, shoulder boards, and collar tabs. Each branch of the police—such as the Schutzpolizei (municipal protection police), Gendarmerie (rural police), Feuerschutzpolizei (fire protection police), and Wasserschutzpolizei (water protection police)—had its own specific color schemes and insignia designs.
The items listed above represent a cross-section of these original pieces, ranging from Bevo woven cap insignia to hand-embroidered bullion sleeve eagles. Police cloth insignia are prized by collectors for their variety and the distinctiveness of their designs, which often incorporate the national eagle and swastika emblem in branch-specific colors.
Types of Insignia and Their Meaning
Police cloth insignia can be categorized by their function and placement on the uniform:
- Cap Insignia: Worn on the front of the visor cap or field cap, these usually took the form of an eagle and swastika emblem. Bevo machine-woven examples were common for enlisted ranks, while officers often had hand-embroidered bullion versions.
- Sleeve Eagles: The police eagle was worn on the upper left sleeve of the tunic. It could be machine-embroidered, Bevo woven, or hand-embroidered in bullion for officers. The eagle was typically displayed in police green and black, but other color combinations existed for different branches (e.g., gold on blue for the Wasserschutzpolizei).
- Sleeve Insignia (Patches): These included branch-specific patches, such as the "Werkfeuerwehr" patch for factory fire brigades, and were often made of wool or a ribbed wool material. They were worn to indicate specialized service or affiliation.
- Shoulder Boards: Used to denote rank and sometimes unit, police shoulder boards came in various colors and piping combinations depending on the branch and rank group.
- Collar Tabs: Worn on the collar to indicate rank and branch, these were often machine-embroidered with specific insignia for the Schutzpolizei and other branches.
Manufacturing Techniques and Materials
Police cloth insignia were produced using several methods, each with distinct characteristics:
Bevo Machine-Woven: The Bevo technique involved weaving the design directly into the fabric, resulting in a flat, durable insignia with a distinctive ribbed texture. Bevo cap eagles and sleeve eagles are commonly encountered and were widely issued to enlisted personnel.
Machine Embroidery: This method used a sewing machine to embroider the design onto a wool base. Machine-embroidered insignia often have a slightly raised appearance and were used for both enlisted and NCO ranks.
Hand Embroidery (Bullion): Reserved for officer ranks, hand-embroidered insignia featured metallic bullion wire (gold or silver) and fine silk threads. These are the most sought-after examples due to their intricate craftsmanship and visual appeal.
The base materials varied as well: wool was standard for winter tunics, while HBT (herringbone twill) cotton was used for summer uniforms. The color of the backing and the thread often indicated the wearer’s branch, such as police green for Schutzpolizei, dark blue for Feuerschutzpolizei, and mottled orange/green for some summer uniforms.
Collecting and Authenticating Police Cloth Insignia
When collecting police cloth insignia, authenticity is paramount. The market includes many reproductions, some of which are quite convincing. Here are key points to consider:
- Construction: Original Bevo insignia have a tight, even weave with crisp details. Modern reproductions often have a coarser texture or uneven edges.
- Materials: Original wool used in the Third Reich era has a particular feel and often shows age (slight mothing, fading, or soiling). New wool is typically brighter and lacks character.
- Embroidery Quality: Hand-embroidered originals exhibit fine, uniform stitching, while reproductions may have irregular or machine-produced patterns.
- Backing: Original insignia often have a paper or cloth backing that has aged naturally. Look for period-appropriate glues or stitching.
- Provenance: Items from veteran estates or old collections are more likely to be authentic, though even these require scrutiny.
As with any militaria, buying from a reputable dealer who offers a guarantee of authenticity is advisable.
Preservation and Display
Proper care ensures that these historical artifacts remain in good condition for years to come. Cloth insignia are susceptible to damage from light, humidity, and insects. Here are some recommendations:
- Storage: Store insignia flat in acid-free tissue or archival sleeves, away from direct sunlight. Avoid folding or creasing.
- Humidity: Maintain a stable environment with relative humidity around 40-50% to prevent mold and fiber deterioration.
- Pests: Use cedar blocks or other natural repellents to deter moths and carpet beetles, which can devour wool.
- Display: If framed, use UV-protective glass and acid-free matting. Rotate displayed items periodically to minimize light exposure.
By following these guidelines, collectors can enjoy their police cloth insignia while preserving them for future generations. Whether you are a seasoned collector or new to the field, these pieces offer a tangible connection to a complex era of history.