Extremely rare, Local Defence Forces 1939-46 Comrade Armband. (2408010)

285.00

L.D.F. Armband, for comrades  of the Local Defence Forces who served during the Emergency period 1939 – 1946. Original and very rare.

Out of stock

Description

In all my years of collecting Irish related militiria, this is only the second example of an L.D.F. 1939  46 Comrade’s armband I have encountered.  If anyone has any information on these items, when they were issued and for what purpose I’d be delighted to hear from you.

This is an original item, not a copy.  It is very very similar in style to the 1916 veterans armbands worn by those who served during the 1916 Rebellion period.  At a guess I’d imagine this armband was made a decade or so after the 1916 ones, the latter being made in the 1930s. However, this one in my experience is a much rarer item.   I was informed by one well established collector that these L.D.F. armbands may have some connection with Co. Wexford, however this is anecdotal and there is no supporting documents or photographs to support this currently.

The “L.D.F.” letters are executed in white stitching and stand in relief against the green background material. The “1939-46″ is a yellow/gold stitching, again standing in light relief as is the white thread of” Comrade”. The seperately applied gold/orange upper and lower bands are machine stitched to the green band.  Overall lenght is approx 32cms. The armband is secured/closed by two black press fasteners and supported with elastic band. There is no maker’s tag on the piece.

A very interesting piece of Irish Emergency period history.

Please note: this item will be sent by registerd mail.  Items posted outside the E.U. and N. Ireland may incur additional charges.