TeNo HOME BASE Cloth-Metal-Uniform-Documents et al

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TeNo Men - MARCHING w TeNo Flags - 1934

About 10 years ago, I got lucky early on in collecting, and found a nice TeNo Album from 1934. It has handwritten inscriptions on the back of many of the Photos. It just stirred my interest in learning more about the Technische Nothilfe - since there was so little information in the then available reference texts.

Here is a civic function Photo, from mid 1934. (Per the hand written caption, Himmler is in there with the Official Crowd.)

The TeNo Flags are spectacular to see in their size proportion. Also the TeNo Finial is up there atop the flags.

Comments on the 1934 TeNo Uniforms:
1) One (1) Shoulder Board, is seen on the Right Side.
2) NOTE ....... TeNo Lt. Shoulder PATCH is a white background Square / Diagonal - &- Not the Eagle Triangle Patch. ...Txs, Dave/dblmed

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TeNo 1933-37 Sleeve Patch - In Wear....in 1934 Photo

The TeNo Left Sleeve Diagonal Patch – in use from PRIOR to when the TeNo Eagle Patch Existed.

The previous Photo shows this Patch (which, at 1st glance ‘looks’ like it was cut out of a TeNo ‘White’ Arm Band) in wear – sewn to the LEFT Shoulder area – in the same spot where the TeNo Eagle Patch will later appear. (See the TeNo Men Marching 1934 Photo Post)

From studying a number of period Photographs, it was my belief that the below shown 2.5 Inch X 2.5 Inch TeNo Cloth Sleeve Patch, is a relatively Scarce Surviving Patch. (WHY? Because I feel certain that it was replaced by the TeNo Sleeve Eagle, and thus it was no longer was needed, & was put away or discarded! So, surviving examples are 'Scarce' & are difficult to locate.) This was Confirmed by Littlejohn in the TeNo Chapter in his "Defending the Reich" in 2007)

Other Photos show this Small Patch in Use / Wear at the Same Time – as the White TeNo Armband. So, we can conclude that they are contemporary in time – at least from the onset. (The White TeNo Armband definitely did survive longer – it was still listed in 1941 TeNo literature - and it is ‘fairly’ commonly found by us as collectors).

WHEN Did the "Diagonal Patch to TeNo Eagle Triangle" Change take Place?
There is now Confirmation that the TeNo Eagle Triangle Patch was introduced in 1935 - and that the Prior 'TeNo Square / Diagonal' was allowed to be worn until 1937. It is a quite striking sleeve patch.
...Txs, Dave/dblmed

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TeNo FAMILY OF 3 - Uniform Photos from 1933

Here is a Photo what certainly looks like an 'early' TeNo Family, including the young boy. (It's marked 1933 on the back of one of the Photos.) Perhaps it's a GrandDad - Son - & Grandson? Some Observations of Special Interest in these Photos, are the:

(A) LEFT Photo - the Young Man:
- - Right & Left Collar have Pressed On Metal - "III" on Right - & - "5" on the Left
- - There is no attached TeNo Black Collar Tabs.
- - The Mutzenkranz is NOT the typical TeNo. [It has outer Oakleaves & a central Cockade - NOT the TeNo Laurel Leaf type]
- - Extra Metal of some type of "Star" on the Left side of his Visor [significance is unknown].
- - Shoulder Tab - on Only the right shoulder
- - Diagonal Armabzeichen [1933+] type on left upper sleeve

(B) MIDDLE Photo - All 3 "TeNo men":
- - Child - in dressed in a 'Semi-TeNo-Like' Uniform.... like the BIG Guys....

(C) RIGHT Photo -the GrandDad / Older Man:
- - Left Cuff Title with "LUFTSCHUTZ" on it. [The TeNo had a Luftschutzdienst & had been involved in this aspect since the late 1920's. The TeNo & the SHD would later - 1942 - be the basis of the Luftschutzpolizei.]
- - He DOES have Black Collar Tabs seen, with the Metal attached to them
(Littlejohn comments that it is not known 'exactly' when the Black TeNo Tabs 1st began to be used - but I have other Photos of them in use in1934.... & then there is this set of Photos from 1933.]

It is apparent that TeNo Collar Insignias / Uniforms 'evolved' with the passage of time. Photos show it best. . Txs, Dave/dblmed

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EARLY TeNo ARMBAND – shown in Döbrich Post Card

This Post Card by the noted artist, Döbrich Steglitz, shows the Pre-1933 TeNo Volunteers at work keeping the Eisenbahn / Railroad running.

The Soldier’s Uniform, Stalhelm, long GEW Mauser, as well as the Pre-1933 Caps on the TN Mann kneeling & the TN Mann on top of the Locomotive ‘cow catcher’ – also date this Post Card to the Pre-1933 era, IMO. (Also the Image on the Card goes from ‘edge to edge’ – which is the style used by Döbrich in printing his ‘earlier’ Cards. Later Cards usually had a ‘white’ border.)

The caption: "Technischer Dienst beim Eisenbahn – Einsatz" – is a precursor to the TeNo Branch Distinction of the TD Arm Raute ‘Circle’ which the TeNo will later adopt.

Of Special Interest to TeNo Historians & Collectors is the unusual Early TeNo Armband which is shown on their Left Sleeve. It is a simple "TN" surrounded by 16 Cogs, in a symmetrical manner. (This is very similar to the TeNo Emblem which will be used by the TR Dutch TeNo, the Technische Noodhulp – - there is a nice reference on page 513, Littlejohn’s "Defending the Reich.") …..Txs, Dave/dblmed

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EARLY TeNo ARMBAND – 1933 - & - Prior

Here is an Early TeNo Armband which was acquired in Germany, and it matches up with the one illustrated in the above Döbrich Steglitz period postcard.

The armband is made of white Cotton and it measures 5" by 8" & it is sewn shut on the Reverse Side. There are no maker’s markings, [only an ‘Early’ snap pin attached! ] It shows the familiar "Classic" TN-in-COG Logo.

This model armband would be replaced by the familiar TeNo 'red center' w black swastika armband in late 1933. [The Dutch TeNo - (the Technische Noodhulp) - & - the Norwegian TeNo - (the Teknisk Nødhjelp) would later (1941+) adopt a very, very similar armband.] …..Txs, Dave/dblmed

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TeNo 1940-1943 Ranks MERKBUCH für NOTHELFER - 1

Here is a nice TR Period MERKBUCH für NOTHELFER, which is a 32 page small ‘Pocket’ booklet (4" X 5 3/4" size). It seems to be much like the "Soldier’s Friend" booklets of the SS, HEER and LUFT.

There are sections on:
• the history of the Technische Nothilfe;
• what is expected of a TN-Mann, etc.;
• Tables of Units of Weight & Measurements… and
• a TN Rank Chart, which is most interesting.

The Date of Publication is not shown, but there is a reference to 10.11.1940, so we know the approximate dating.
The Publisher is Verlag: Fritz Otto Kohler, Berlin. Druck: Ernst Segnitz, Berlin.

Shown as Folded Open – the Front Cover ….Txs, Dave / dblmed

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MERKBUCH für NOTHELFER with TeNo Rank Chart - for 1940-1943

These Illustrated TeNo Ranks are those which were in effect from April, 1940 – May 19, 1943 [but implemented on June 1, 1943]
Also refer to "Defending the Reich" page 499, - & - Angolia / Hugh Page Taylor's "Police, Vol. 2." for outstanding information about the TN Rank Changes...

The MERKBUCH is shown as Folded Open – Pages 16 & 17 ….Txs, Dave / dblmed

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TeNo 1940 Rank Changes - from June 1 "Uniformen Markt" - 1

The "Uniformen Markt" publication also gave an update of the 1940 TeNo Rank & Uniform changes.

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TeNo 1940 Rank Changes June 1 "Uniformen Markt" - 2

The TeNo Collar Tabs, Shoulder Boards, et al, are better shown on the 2nd page of the "Uniformen Markt" article.

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TeNo LEFT Sleeve Armscheiben & Eagles – 4 Basic Types

The various types of TeNo Cloth Insignia “Armscheibe / Ärmelabzeichen” which were worn on the Upper LEFT Uniform Sleeve, is a very interesting study of Transitions. As a core group of technically trained Leaders & Members, the TeNo used symmetrical & geometrically shaped insignias, from 1932-1945.

The TeNo progressed through a series of 4 Different Armscheiben - “Logo / Emblem” Types, consisting of:

1) Type 1.0 - CIRCLE – 1932 - 1933
2) Type 2.0 - DIAMOND - (as a SQUARE rotated on a corner) – late 1933 – 1935. (But, allowed to be worn until 1937.)
3) Type 3.0 - TRIANGLE – 1935 - June 1, 1943 (the most Familiar pattern) – but continued to worn on Blue TeNo Uniforms, until May 8, 1945.
4) Type 4.0 - OVAL Police ‘Type’ Eagle - June 1, 1943 - May 8, 1945, (Officer & NCO/EM Models) to be worn on Only the TN-Police Green Uniform.

A study of TeNo Armscheibe Examples reveals that each of these 4 Types (except the Circle) had Variations (which included Different Makers [#’s 2, 3, 4] & Different Color Combinations [#’s 3-4], etc.) The Type 1.0 - Circle, ‘may’ also have had variations, but it is so rare – that I have Not been able to study it! There are probably Other Type Variations (of which I am Not aware) & seeing them would be Super – for learning even more about the diversity of the Armscheibe Types of TeNo!

[The words “Armscheibe” (i.e. Sleeve Disk) & “Ärmelabzeichen” (i.e. Sleeve Badge) are used in TN Literature & Charts - interchangeably, in describing these 4 Types of TeNo Upper LT. Sleeve Emblems. But, I could well be missing the True meaning, in proper German?]

Hopefully, it will be interesting to Review & Discuss these 4 Cloth TeNo Sleeve Armscheibe Types - & to Learn from other Collectors, & to Hopefully see Different (or ‘Previously Unknown’) Examples! I happily & collegially defer to those more knowledgeable than me, for Any needed Corrections, of ‘Wrong’ dates, etc., that I may use! Additional input is always appreciated - we are continually learning!)

I will show Examples of the 4 TeNo Armscheibe Types, & their SubTypes – as well as Fotos of their ‘In Wear’ Use – where Fotos are available. … Txs, Dave/dblmed

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TeNo Armscheibe Type 1.0 – CIRCLE (1932-1933)

This ‘Rarely Found’ Type 1.0 TeNo Armscheibe used – a CIRCLE – as the outline shape of the LEFT Sleeve Emblem. It was in use for the short time-frame of 1932-late 1933 (per Foto documentation.) But, it also was probably worn into 1934, when the ‘next’ TeNo Armscheibe, Type 2.0, was officially introduced.

The Type 1.0 TeNo Armscheibe has the following Characteristics:
• It is ‘believed’ to be made of Cotton, with the TN Emblem printed on it. (But, I am unable to confirm the material.)
• A Surrounding COG Wheel of 16 outer Cogs & 8 inner Spokes, with the end of each of the Spokes touching the outer Wheel Circle;
• A Central “N” – with all 8 Spokes passing through it;
• A transverse “T” formed using a ‘Hammer Head’ (with the RT. End being Slanted) - positioned at the 12 O’clock Position & Centered above the “N” below it;

This Type 1.0 TeNo Armscheibe outwardly appears to be ‘Almost the Same’ as the later used [1942-1945] Dutch TeNo (Technische Noodhulp) Armscheibe. (BUt, the Dutch TN Emblem was BeVo woven.) The two (2) Emblems are quite similar - BUT, there are some Key Differences seen between the two, which allows Collectors to Distinguish Them.

DIFFERENCES: The Technische Noodhulp (Dutch TN) Armscheibe also has the Design of an Outer Cog Wheel of 16 Cogs & 8 Spokes, plus the Central “TN” – BUT the following Differences are seen when comparing these 2 Armscheiben. The Technische Noodhulp (Dutch TN) Armscheibe has:

• BeVo contruction (? of Cotton) - instead of being Printed.
• A Small Dark Circular Line, placed Outside of the Cog Wheel, &
• The 8 Spokes do NOT touch the inner border of the Circular Cog Wheel, &
• The “T” Hammer Head is positioned further to the Right, such that the Slanted End leading edge is lined up Vertically with the Right edge of the “N” below it.

The Type 1.0 TeNo Armscheibe does Not have the above 4 findings.

(The above is based upon the study of a Technische Noodhulp Armscheibe [& Fotos] as well as multiple Fotos of the TeNo 1st Armscheiben – so this is not a ‘scientific’ study - rather, these are my observations.)

ATTACHMENT: Foto of the TeNo’s Founder, Otto Lummitzsch, with the Type 1.0 Armscheibe

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TeNo Armscheibe Type 2.0 – DIAMOND (1933-1937)

The TeNo Armscheibe Type 2.0 – DIAMOND Shape Shape, was ‘officially’ introduced about July 4, 1934, [but I have a number of Fotos of it being worn in the winter of 1933? Puzzling?] It was the 1st TeNo Sleeve Emblem of the TR. (This Type 2.0 Patch could be worn until 1937, but a gradual replacement with the Type 3.0 Patch began in 1935.)

The Type 2.0 TeNo Armscheibe has the following Characteristics:

• Machine ‘Woven’ (BeVo) on Square White Cotton material, which ‘folds over’ at the Reverse;
• The TeNo Emblem is Positioned as a Diamond for wearing it;
• Background is a Red Square;
• Then a ‘canted / rotated’ centered Black Swastica was added, leaving Triangles at the Ends of Each Short Arm of the Swastica; & Each Long Arm goes beyond the Red Square, into the White Background;
• Then a Central ‘Classic’ TeNo Cog Wheel, with a Centered “TN” Hammer / “N” – in White Thread; (The Cog Wheel has 15 Cogs & Not the 16 Cogs, as does the Type 1.0).

It is just a Beautiful Multicolor Patch! (as are most things TeNo, IMO!) It was introduced at ‘about’ the same time as the TeNo Flag & TeNo Gorget (& probably other TeNo items, which I am forgetting!)

VARIATIONS: Three (3) Maker Variations of Type 2.0 have been found (so far):
• 2.1 BEVO-BARMEN GES. GESCH., &
• 2.2 GES. GESCH., G & W (a yet Unidentified Maker.)
• 2.3 Non Maker Marked, which has a much smaller COG

A Number of Subtle Differences are found in comparing the Patches of the 2 makers (But – since they are ID’d with their Name, it is not so important, as in unnamed Patches!)

DIFFERENCES:] Primarily, it is that the:
• BEVO Armscheibe has a “Thinner & Longer” Hammer Head.
• G & W Armscheibe has a “Thicker & Shorter” Hammer Head.
• Other ‘smaller’ differences…

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TeNo Armscheibe Type 3.1 – TRIANGLE w Eagle

3.1 DUNKELBLAU Color SubType (Not a BLACK Color! As is often said by many Dealers, and a few Authors.)

The General "Type 3.0" TeNo Armscheibe is the most ‘familiar’ TeNo Sleeve Patch. General TR Collectors are often unaware of the other Types, but the knowledge curve is growing, thanks to recent Great Books! This Type 3.0 TeNo patch (in Dunkelblau) was introduced in 1935, but it was Not ‘Required’ to be worn as the replacement for the Type 2.0 “Diamond” until 1937. (IMO, since so much was going on within the TeNo during the early formative TR years, & since > 95% of TeNo members were unpaid Volunteers – I ‘believe’ that the extended time for implementation was wisely allowed due to financial considerations of the times.)

The Type 3.0 TeNo Armscheibe has the MOST SubTypes & Variations of ALL 4 General Armscheiben Types! (Probably, because it was in use for the longest time - 1935 - 1945.)

The basic Type 3.0 TeNo Armscheibe has the following Characteristics:
• Wide Triangle Shape (Isosceles triangle with 2 shorter sides of same length – forming the ‘bottom.’)
• Dunkelblau (Navy Blue) Cloth Construction (Wool & also of Nylon)
• Machine ‘Woven” BeVo Type Fine Silver Wire (Aluminum) TeNo Eagle / Emblem.
• TeNo Eagle is the same as the 1935 Metal (Nickel-Silver) Type – But, with the BIG Difference, that the Eagle’s Head faces towards it’s RIGHT Wing [which is to the Viewer’s LEFT.]
• The Eagle is perched upon the Canted / Rotated Swastika, with the “TN” within a Surrounding Cog Wheel, Centered Inside of It - (Like the Emblem used for the Type 2.0 Armscheibe, but Not in Multi-Colors.)
• All 4 Arms of the Swastika appear as being ‘Cut-Out’ as a part of the ‘Woven” Aluminum Wire BeVo-Type construction.

VARIATIONS: At least three (3) Variations of Type 3.1 have been seen (So far - & I anticipate other Variations!):
• 3.1A: ges. gesch., G & W (But, WHY is the ‘g. g.’, in Small Letters, for this model?) – made as a 2 piece Patch, of a Wool Front Side & a ‘Moleskin’ Reverse – w the Maker’s Mark [in Silver Wire Thread] sewn onto a Separate Nylon Label, which is then stitched to the lower Reverse Tip. The Eagle’s LEFT Talon does NOT touch the arm of the Swastika below it. “Normal” Shaped Eagle Head.
• 3.1B: Non Maker Marked – made as a 2 piece Patch, of a Wool Front Side & a ‘Moleskin’ Reverse – Eagle’s LEFT Talon Does touch the arm of the Swastika below it. Large “Hammer Head” Eagle.
• 3.1C: ges. gesch., G & W - Cotton Thread – made as a 1 piece Patch, of Nylon material! Most Remarkable, is that the TeNo Eagle/Emblem is BeVo ‘Woven’ using Off-White Cotton Thread – & Not Silver Wire! The “ges. gesch., G & W” is Woven into the pattern, which is then folded over as 3 pieces, & is then hand sewn together! This is a very, very rarely found Type 3.1 TeNo Triangle Patch!

‘Führer / Officer’ Patch?: = NO. Referring to this TeNo Sleeve Eagle as the ‘Führer / Officer’ Patch is Not Correct! However ‘Almost ALL’ Dealers still refer to the TeNo Armscheibe Type 3.1 – DUNKELBLAU TRIANGLE w Eagle, in Silver Metallic Thread – as the TeNo ‘Führer / Officer’ Sleeve Eagle!

• WHY? Because in most other TR Orgs., Yes, the ‘Silver Wire’ Models of Patches were customarily designated for Officers. ... But - this is NOT Correct for the TeNo, because:
• The 3.1 Silver Metallic Thread Triangle Patch is found on ‘untouched’ TeNo EM/NCO Uniforms (& TN Officer Uniforms).
• The 3.1 Silver Metallic Thread Triangle Patch is found on ‘untouched’ TeNo Drill / Drillich ‘Work’ Uniforms.
• The 3.1 Silver Metallic Thread Triangle Patch is easily ‘seen’ in period photos of TeNo EM’s & NCO’s (as well as Officers), as it has a distinctive ‘metallic’ shine to it, in sunlight.
• The 3.1C Cotton Thread Triangle Patch is almost Never found! So, “IF” this was intended to be the EM/NCO Eagle Triangle - then Examples would be found as > 100:1 (for each “1” Silver Metallic Thread Patch) – but, they are Not.
So, the Evidence is quite Clear – in that the 3.1 Silver Metallic Thread Patch was used for ALL members of the TN • TeNo. It was Not an “Officer Only” Sleeve Patch.

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3.2 TeNo Armscheibe TAN / BROWN Color SubType

The Type 3.2 TeNo TAN / BROWN Color Armscheibe is something of an Enigma for me, in trying to understand it’s intended use! It would ‘seem’ that this color combination would be for ‘Tropical’ use – similar to Tan patches of many other TR Organization. Yes, a TeNo Tropical Uniform was described in ‘Uniformen-Markt’ of March 1, 1942 – but I am not ‘sure’ IF the Tan Patch was also described?

The 1936-1937 Knötel Police Post Card series, Card # 14 (page 487 “Defending the Reich” & Rear Cover of “Police, Vol. 2”) - to my ‘eyes’ is the Tan Sleeve Patch (which Knötel shows on the Drillich.) Photos of the TeNo "Einsatz Demonstration [bridge building, etc.] for the 1939 Tag der Polizei clearly show the Tan Eagle; I also have a Foto of a TN Officer, in White Tunic (Hamburg, 1944), who is wearing this Tan Patch. So – we have the 3.2 Tan Eagle Armscheibe, which ‘may’ have been introduced as early as 1936 & was still in use as of 1944. It has been seen on the TeNo ‘work’ Uniform (Drillich) – the TeNo Tropical Uniform (suggested) - & the TeNo White (Summer) Officer’s Tunic. (It is shown as the Sleeve Eagle on a TeNo White Drillich, on page 561 of “Police, Vol. 2”.) “IF” all of this is Correct - then the 3.2 TAN / BROWN was quite a multipurpose use Patch / Armscheibe!

The Type 3.2 TeNo TAN Armscheibe has the following Characteristics:
• Same General Characteristics of Type 3.1C, above, in that
• The base material is of a 1 piece Tan or Lighter Brown Color Nylon, which is then folded over on the Reverse & machine sewn together, but is not completely sewn shut & is not fully covering the Reverse of the ‘Front’ embroidery – except in the BEVO model.
• The TeNo ‘Eagle Emblem’ is machine woven using an Off-White Thread.
• The Eagle’s LEFT Talon Does touch the Arm of the Swastika below it.

VARIATIONS: At least three (3) Variations of Type 3.2 have been seen (So far, & I anticipate that other Variations of this sub-type may be found!):
• 3.2A: ges. gesch., BEVO – is machine woven onto the cloth & when folded over, the Name shows on the edge of the Reverse. The fold over completely covers the reverse, but it is Not sewn in the middle. No loose threads are present. Eagle’s body is narrow at its chest & then slightly tapers towards the base. Feathers are Not distinct & the Eagle’s head is Small. Super Construction!
• 3.2B: Non Maker Marked – made as a 1 piece Patch, as above, but the Reverse ‘Fold Over’ is not complete & a mass of loose threads are seen! Eagle’s body is wide at its chest & then tapers towards the base. Feathers are very distinct & are individual. The Eagle’s head is Large.
• 3.2C: Non Maker Marked – made as a 1 piece Patch, as above, but the Reverse ‘Fold Over’ is not complete, & when it is sewn closed, it leaves a small open Reverse sided Triangle, which exposes a mass of loose threads! Eagle’s body is narrow at its chest & then slightly tapers towards the base. Feathers are very distinct & are individual. The Eagle’s head is Medium sized.

The TAN is another very distinctive, and very attractive TeNo Eagle Arm Patch / Armscheibe.

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3.3 TeNo Armscheibe GREEN Color SubType

The Type 3.3 TeNo Armscheibe GREEN Color SubType seems to be the least complex of the ‘Standard’ Type 3.0 Eagles.

There tends to be agreement that The Type 3.3 TeNo GREEN Color Armscheibe was intended to be used on the left sleeve of the TeNo ‘Work’ / Drillich Uniform. I have not seen an example of this combination in wear, but I ‘believe’ that it does exist (somewhere!)

The Type 3.3 TeNo Armscheibe GREEN Color SubType has the following Characteristics:
• Same General Characteristics of Type 3.1C, above, in that
• The base material is a thicker 1 piece Nylon in a Medium GREEN Color.
• There is No ‘Fold Over’ of material – this is a ‘thick’ patch.
• The TeNo ‘Eagle Emblem’ is machine woven using an Off-White Thread. The weaving is rather coarse, leaving less distinct details throughout.
• Feathers are well seen & extend All the way up the neck – as a quite distinct characteristic.
• The Eagle’s LEFT Talon does Not touch the Arm of the Swastika below it.
• I have Not encountered any Maker Marked examples.
• Besides the GREEN Color, the most Unusual Aspect of the 3.3 is that there is an embroidered peripheral Line Edge, on All 3 sides, using Off-White Thread. (This is Unique for Type 3.0 Eagle Patches.)

VARIATIONS: I have Not seen any significant differences in these Type 3.3, which would suggest any variations (yet!)