Black band around SS Armband?

[Raymond270]

Hello I am always watching film on the Third Reich to see if I find anything new.
The other day I clearly saw a black band maybe about 1 to 2 inches wide right in the middle of a SS armband.
It seemed to go all the way around.
Does anyone know what would be the reason for this?

Thank you in advance as always
Raymond

[HPL2008]

It's a Trauerflor [mourning band].

These were worn in mourning of the death of comrades (or, individually and off-duty only, of family members) and on official days/periods of mourning.

(For example, they are often seen in footage and photographs from the period of national mourning upon the death of Reichspräsident von Hindenburg in August 1934.)

[jHAM]

Notice the driver who is wearing such a band.

[Friedrich-Berthold]

and such a hat.

[jHAM]

F-B once posed the question what defines an "early" SS cap. In my opinion this photo illustrates such a thing. Perhaps one of the forum members here can tell us what type of caps these men wear or from where they sourced them. Are they Reichswehr caps? Thanks

[Friedrich-Berthold]

The peaked caps are not Rw caps, I do not think. They are the non conforming peaked caps ca. 1932-3 which then prompted the RFSS version we all know.
The kepi with the leather peak is from Kupper in Wuppertal.

[Friedrich-Berthold]

It's a Trauerflor [mourning band].

These were worn in mourning of the death of comrades (or, individually and off-duty only, of family members) and on official days/periods of mourning.

(For example, they are often seen in footage and photographs from the period of national mourning upon the death of Reichspräsident von Hindenburg in August 1934.)

as Andreas tells us so well.

[jHAM]

Another relevant image.

[Friedrich-Berthold]

Bravo, all things in their wondrous details!

[jHAM]

the non conforming peaked caps ca. 1932-3

As seen in this photo shared here recently. Thank you F-B.