A Textbook, vet-acquired example of an iconic insignia-the standard SS officer's runic collar tab. As someone who has been collecting TR stuff for over 45 years, I can attest that originals of these were never really what you would term 'common', even back in the 1960s.
Today, it is possible to walk into small regional militaria shows and not find one single 'real' example for sale in the entire show. I also can't think of another SS insignia which exists in so many borderline variations, where it is difficult or impossible to determine if many of those are original or not...a potentially very frustrating fact for collectors. I have to conclude that many reproductions have been generated, with varying degrees of success. There are certainly also some original variants out there, which differ significantly in appearance from this one.
I am satisfied with this one, because I know where it came from. Stan Myers of the 67th Armored Regt, 2nd Armored Division, removed it from a dead SS officer during the St Lo Breakout in late July, 1944.
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