Hi Darin,
I am not familiar with the word "celleon", can you explain the material you think this is made of any further?
Thank you.
Christian, it is a synthetic material that was used on some insignia during the period. I suspect the piping of this set to be Celleon as it is not tarnished like the wire oak leaves. I have a set of these straps that is all celleon embroidery in my collection.
In The Military Advisor, volume #3, number #4, Bender publications. Article by J. Pittsenbargar ;
"Many synthetic fibers came into use before WW II. By 1927 Rayon had been developed in Germany and was in use in Europe and the United States. This was later folllowed by Dacron and Orlon. In 1936 Nylon was developed by DuPont in the U.S. and in germany where one brand name was Cellulon (celleon). Many fine wartime army general grade collar tabs, shoulder boards and breast eagles were made from this synthetic material as a replacement for gilt wire which quickly tarnished. In 1956-57 polyesters were introduced to the domestic marketplace."
This is from Angolia's
book on Kriegsmarine uniforms where he cites HV 38B No. 258 (interesting as Angolia rarely cites a source, regulation, or order in his works).
"To "eliminate the need of gold, to reduce purchase costs, and to increase the wearing periods," gold was substituted by a newly-developed material "Celleon" by an order (HV 38B, No. 258) dated 15 July, 1938. Celleon web, celleon lace and cord, etc., was made of a silver-plated web on a golden-yellow or white artificial silk base with a golden-colored textile-cellophane spinning. Bright Celleon had a base of silver-plated web, and matte Celleon had a white silk base."
Also here is a period advertisement where the term is used.
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