A German Third Reich Customs Protection Officer’s arm shield circa 1937-40 of oval form, die struck shield in gilded aluminium, with inscription on "Reichsfinanzverwaltung-Zollgrenzschutz" (National Finance Administration - Customs Border Guard) the shield is numbered 49320 and with pierced holes for attachment to a sleeve 8.5cm high, 6.6cm wide

*The Zollgrenzschutz was established in 1937, an armed anti-smuggling police force reporting to the finance ministry but with some in military uniforms and an overall military structure.
During the mid-1930’s plans were made to include the customs guards into the Armed Forces, the defence of the Reich. Himmler seems to have tried several times to bring the customs into the SS which was prevented by Göring. In 1942 there were 60.000 personal serving in the Zollgrenzdienst. After the failed assassination attempt on Hitler in July 1944 the Führer finally put the Zollgrenzdienst under the jurisdiction of the SS. Leadership positions were promptly filled with SS and Police officers. Up to then these border guards had already served like a regular army in all German occupied countries in Europe.