History

The SA (Sturmabteilung, storm detachment) was established in 1921 as a paramilitary protection squad of the NSDAP. The members of the SA were tasked with protecting party leaders at political rallies and meetings from the paramilitary forces of the opposing political factions. The SA was first utilised on November 4, 1921 at a meeting held in Munich’s "Hofbräuhaus" beer hall. The organisation was banned after the failed putsch in 1923 and was reactivated in February 1925.

12mm and 4mm silver-grey stripes were issued to SA personnel who had joined the organisation prior to February 1933. The stripes were worn on the lower left and right sleeves of the brown shirt, service tunic, and greatcoat. Individuals who had been members of other organisation prior to joining the SA were also eligible to wear these stripes.

An individual's SA entry date determined how many and what type of stripes they were eligible to wear. The following list indicates how the stripes were allocated:

1 January 1932 - 30 January 1933: one 4mm stripe
1 January 1931 - 31 December 1931: two 4mm stripes
1 January 1930 - 31 December 1930: one 12mm stripe
1 January 1929 - 31 December 1929: one 12mm stripe, one 4mm stripe
1 January 1928 - 31 December 1928: one 12mm stripe, two 4mm stripes
1 January 1927 - 31 December 1927: two 12mm stripes
1 January 1926 - 31 December 1926: two 12mm stripes, one 4mm stripe
1 January 1925 - 31 December 1925: two 12mm stripes, two 4mm stripes

Prior to the outbreak of the Second World War, a new category was created for individuals who had rendered non-active service prior to 30 January 1933 and had joined the SA after this date.

Non-active member prior to 15 December 1932: one 4mm stripe
Non-active member prior to 1 July 1930: two 4mm stripes
Non-active member prior to 1 January 1928: one 12mm stripe