UBB.threads Forums Uniform & Accessories Police Uniforms Forum Piped SD Raute Question for Joe W.

Joe,
Did you ever ascertain any official designation for black and silver piping on an SD sleeve diamond?
Derek

i believe that the piping denotes membership in the SIPO, and not the SD proper. hope maybe that helps a little bit.

There are two slightly different versions of meaning of silver piping in SD raute:

1) Denoting that wearer belongs to SIPO (Sicherheitspolizei: Kripo and Gestapo together, an umbrella term)

2) Denothing that wearer either is or has been a member of Gestapo

I think that theory nr. 2 is more believeable since this "Gestapo association" is brought up almost every single time a piped SD raute is discussed in uniform/insignia literature. I think it should be interpreted that the wearer works for Amt IV / RSHA or has been transferred from there.

Derek was asking about instances reported of the SD Raute(lower sleeve diamond) edged with black & white pipining, similar to the NCO collar trimming. Unfortunately, I have not seen such examples nor viewed any documentation on such a piece of insignia.

The unpiped SD Raute indicated service with the Sicherheitsdienst d. RFSS. In 1937, Himmler wish to encourage dual-membership in the SS with members of the uniformed and plain-clothes police forces. To demonstrate this dual membership, the SS runes were authorized to be worn on Order Police tunics (see article in "The Military Advisor" June 2005).

In addition, an June 1937 directive from Himmler's office indicated that the only exception to the unpiped SD Raute would be 1.5mm aluminum piping to indicate an SS member of the Gestapa or Stapostellen carried on the roles of the SD.