German Luftwaffe Paratrooper (Fallschirmj$ger) Smock Eagle Patch

This is a machine-embroidered chest eagle for the German Luftwaffe, specifically the style used on combat smocks and tunics during the WWII era. The patch features a soaring eagle in flight, clutching a swastika in its talons. It is executed in off-white or light grey thread on a dark blue-grey (Luftwaffe blue) wool or twill fabric backing. The embroidery demonstrates a high-density stitch pattern typical of mid-war production. Physically, the patch displays significant age-related wear, including fraying at the wingtips and edges, and visible thinning of the embroidery on the upper wing section. The backing fabric shows pilling and overall softening of the texture. No maker marks are visible on the front, and the patch appears to be roughly sewn or attached to the blue textile background. This specimen exemplifies the transition from high-quality early-war bullion or hand-stitching to the more standardized, mass-produced machine embroidery necessary for large-scale wartime deployment. The distinctive 'descending eagle' design is a quintessential insignia of the German air force from approximately 1935 to 1945.