Waffenfarbe (literally "arms color") is piped trim used on uniform items in the German military, the color of which is indicative of the wearer's specialty. Waffenfarbe is most commonly utilized on shoulderboards and Schiffchen, though initially also intended for use on Schirmmutzen. As wartime practicalities lead to shortage of materials and need for more timely production, use of specialty Waffenfarbe in this capacity was lessened, as were the number of colors seen. The chart below is a guideline, as true colors would vary slightly depending on lot and manufacturer, and there is a degree of debate today about the "end-all" guidelines for piping.

For the purposes of the hobby, members of our unit are authorized to purchase specialty Waffenfarbe for shoulderboard use only. All members should consult with command to ensure their choice of Waffenfarbe is both authorized for their personal use, and acceptable for their impression.

	White Weiss	Infantry, Mortar Crews, Cartographers/Surveyors, Sport/Music Schools, Recruiting (1942-1945)
	Rose Rosa	Panzer Troops, Anti-Tank Personnel, Transport, Motor Technical School
	Crimson Crimson	Veterinary Personnel Wehrmacht: General Staff Officers
	Bordeaux Bordorot	Smoke and Chemical, Anti-Gas Schools, Legal Personnel
	Bright Red Hochrot	Artillery Regiments, Anti-Artillery Units, Rockets
	Orange Orangerot	Military Police, Garrison Troops, Motor Technical School, Recruiting (pre-1942)
	Golden Yellow Goldgelb	Reconnaissance, Cavalry, Motorcycle Units
	Lemon Yellow Zitronengelb	Signals, War Correspondants, Dog and Pigeon Services
	Grass Green Weisengrün	Panzergrenadiers (1942-1945), Armed Infantry, Motorcycle Units (pre October '41)
	Light Green Hellgrün	Mountain Troops, Police
	Dark Green Dunkelgrün	Administrative Personnel, Specialists, Reserve Officers
	Blue Gray Graublau	Specialist Officers
	Light Blue Hellblau	Transportation, Field Post, Supply Training, Motor Technical School
	Cornflower Kornblumen Blau	Medics/Medical Personnel, Supply Troops
	Violet Violett	Chaplains and Field Bishops
	Copper Brown Kupferbraun	Mechanized Reconnaissance, Motorcycle Units (post-October '41)
	Light Brown Lichtbraun	Concentration Camps
	Light Gray Hellgrau	General Officers SS: Himmler's Staff (post-June '42)
	Dark Gray Dunkelgrau	Propaganda SS: Himmler's Staff (pre June '42)
	Black Schwarz	Engineers/Pioneers, Railway Engineers, Construction Units, Technical Officers
	Gold Gelt	Wehrmacht and Luftwaffe: General Officers
	Silver Silber	SS: General Officers