What is this Armband for?

[SAMann]

Hello,

Trying to identify this armband, I was going to sell it, but don't know how to list it.

Thanks in advance for the help? Also, any ideas on a value?


SA Mann

[Sensei]

The symbol resembles that of the Arrow Cross party which basically was the Hungarian version of the Nazi Party which were in power from 1944-1945.

Maybe an Arrow cross leader armband?

Regards, Tobias!

[Willmore]

Hi there.

I can’t really help that much, but Tobias is right, it is Hungarian.


The Arrow Cross was the symbol of the fascist Arrow Cross Party (Nyilaskeresztes Párt)
Nyilaskeresztes P?rt (Hungary, 1940-1945)

The Arrow Cross Party (Hungarian: Nyilaskeresztes Párt – Hungarista Mozgalom, lit. 'Arrow Cross Party-Hungarist Movement', abbreviated NYKP) was a national socialist Hungarian-nationalist party led by Ferenc Szálasi, which formed a government in Hungary they named the Government of National Unity. They were in power from 15 October 1944 to 28 March 1945.
Arrow Cross Party - Wikipedia

Here is an old thread with some examples -
Hungarian arrow cross

Kind regards,

Will.

[Vocht]

If real, it is a rare piece. Value, no idea because no Arrow Cross material ever comes up for sale. Even the stuff shown in Hungarian museums are replica's.

[Kohima]

How about offering it to a Hungarian Military museum?

It certainly is a striking piece.

All the best,
Rob

[Rossi]

Pictures of the Arrow Cross armband in wear. I know they are a scarce item and have been faked as well. The one you show reminds me of a 1960s-1970s reproduction I had seen a few years ago. The herringbone tan ribbed material making up the 4 ribbons and the lack of the square panel shape behind the arrow cross symbols leaves me to believe this might be like that repro. See what others think as well on this one. I am not an expert on these but I seem to remember one like it being deemed a reproduction like the 2 pictured below the ones in wear.













I believe these to be reproductions:

[SAMann]

Many Thanks to all for the info! I am not an Armband guy, but IMHO, I think there is a good chance it is Original. Mainly for these reasons;

1) It does not Fluoresce.

2) The stitching around the center Plaquette is not a Zig-Zag stitch but appears to be hand stitched, Round and round. I don't really know the correct nomenclature.

3) The yellowing is completely uniform throughout and appears consistent with honest age.

4) Each of the Herringbone ribbons are edged with chain embroidery.

I bought it about 30 years ago in a group buy of 22 different armbands from a collection that was an Old Estate sale even then.

I will take some photos of the inside and post them also for additional comments.

SA Mann

[SAMann]

Good Morning,

I had the chance today to take a couple more photos of the Armband we are discussing. I want to thank everyone for giving me enough info to "catch the scent" on this thing and have been digging. There isn't much out there, is there?

Rossi's comment about the circular instead of square Plaquette on it got me wondering again as to the originality of this piece. I really appreciate his remarks and photos. To me, this thing screams Original but I was unable to find ANY photos from the period that show a round patch Armband in wear. Virtually ALL the Flags pictured show the round configuration.

Looking at the construction of this piece, there seems to be an awful lot of work involved to make something that was incorrect! Maybe this was a Leaders Band or something else that sets it apart from the usual.

What is amazing to me is how much Regalia these guys produced for an Organization that only existed during the last year of the War!!

Anyway, here are the photos of the inside of the band. I look forward to other comments!



Thanks again,

SA mann

[Rossi]

Good Morning,

I had the chance today to take a couple more photos of the Armband we are discussing. I want to thank everyone for giving me enough info to "catch the scent" on this thing and have been digging. There isn't much out there, is there?

Rossi's comment about the circular instead of square Plaquette on it got me wondering again as to the originality of this piece. I really appreciate his remarks and photos. To me, this thing screams Original but I was unable to find ANY photos from the period that show a round patch Armband in wear. Virtually ALL the Flags pictured show the round configuration.

Looking at the construction of this piece, there seems to be an awful lot of work involved to make something that was incorrect! Maybe this was a Leaders Band or something else that sets it apart from the usual.

What is amazing to me is how much Regalia these guys produced for an Organization that only existed during the last year of the War!!

Anyway, here are the photos of the inside of the band. I look forward to other comments!


Thanks again,

SA mann

I was able to locate a period photo of an armband in wear with an arrow cross symbol in a circular roundel. See the left sleeve of man. It however does not show the 4 ribbon stripes in its design and construction. There were many period photos for these Hungarians only being active from 1944-1945. I still cannot confirm or deny that the one you post is a reproduction but based on 1960's and 1970s reproductions of German armbands it seems to be of that material or construction. I could be totally wrong as well. Just my opinion or hunch on it. Good old Bob Coleman would come in handy right now.




In my Oma's biography / book "Memoirs of a German Warbride" at wars end she witnessed two US Soldiers confront a Hungarian SS / Arrow Cross member in an alley way. There was yelling and a scuffle. They asked for papers and he was wearing a long black coat. The man would not comply and began trying to kick and strike the US Soliders. They promptly disposed of him. My Oma told me that they said something about Hungarian SS or Police. When they drug him out after removing his coat he had a uniform on. She was a little foggy on details but my Opa did tell me he had heard about the shooting.

[Vocht]

There is an Arrow Cross Pennant for sale on Wehrmacht-Militaria - WWII German Militaria, WW2 German Memorabilia
It is too hard to authenticate because almost no material exists. If anybody has a great reference source for these pieces, I would appreciate it.