Specialty Badge with NCO Tress Modification

WWII German Hand-Embroidered Specialty Sleeve Badge with Custom NCO Tress Modification - Mint Condition

This is another fascinating and highly unusual artifact from the uncovered German tailor's stockpile (Schneiderei-Bestand). It is a circular, dark bottle-green wool sleeve specialty badge (Tätigkeitsabzeichen) featuring crossed rifles intricately hand-embroidered in bright yellow thread. Remarkably, this piece features an incredible period modification: a short strip of genuine silver-grey NCO lace (Unteroffizier-Tresse) has been carefully machine-stitched directly over the lower section of one of the rifle stocks. This custom addition was likely a tailored upgrade to denote a specific command or leadership role within the squad, such as a Gewehrführer (Rifle Squad Leader). Remaining in unissued mint condition with a completely clean, raw reverse showing the period construction stitching, this customized insignia is a superb, one-of-a-kind example of tailor-shop variation.