The WWII Luftwaffe Collar Tabs and Shoulder Boards Set represents the distinctive insignia system used across all Luftwaffe ranks and service branches from 1935 to 1945. Designed to denote both rank and branch of service (Waffenfarbe), these insignia were worn on the Tuchrock, Fliegerbluse, and Waffenrock uniforms by enlisted men, NCOs, and officers alike.
Collar Tabs (Kragenspiegel):
Made from wool / badge cloth, collar tabs featured the Luftwaffe’s signature blue-grey base with embroidered gull wings or bars, backed by branch-colored (Waffenfarbe) underlays.
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Enlisted & NCO Ranks: Wove yellow, red, green, brown, or grey piping according to service branch.
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Officers: Displayed aluminum or silver bullion embroidery with fine detailing, often bordered in silver braid.
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Generals: Crimson-red backing with gold bullion embroidery and oak-leaf motif.
Common branch colors included:
Golden Yellow – Flying & Paratroop Units
Red – Anti-Aircraft Artillery
Brown – Signals
Green – Ground Units
Blue – Medical
Light Grey – Administrative & Clerical
Orange – Military Police
Black – Construction & Technical
Shoulder Boards (Schulterstücke):
The shoulder boards indicated rank and branch through braid pattern, pips, and underlay color.
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Enlisted Men: Simple blue-grey wool straps with Waffenfarbe piping.
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NCOs: Silver-gray tress around the edge, same branch-colored piping.
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Company Officers (Leutnant–Hauptmann): Silver braided cords over branch-color underlay, 0–2 pips.
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Field Officers (Major–Oberst): Thicker silver cords, 0–2 pips.
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General Officers: Gold cords on red underlay with gilt pips or batons.
These insignia were sewn or buttoned to the tunic shoulders and collar, forming an integral part of Luftwaffe uniform identity across all ranks and branches.
Although we could not put all these insignia on a product selection section, you can choose your insignia, and order them separately, because the permutation combinations are too many.
You can use them to give a complete finish to your Luftwaffe uniform selection.
Great buy for reenactors, museums, collectors, films/movies/theater etc.
