was a Nazi paramilitary rank which was used by the Schutzstaffel (SS) which was under Adolf Hitler between the years of 1934 and 1945.
Approximate ranks relative to US ranks: The Schutzstaffel (SS; also stylized as  with Armanen runes; German pronunciation: [tstafl (listen); 'Protection Squadron') was a major paramilitary organization under Adolf Hitler and the Nazi Party (NSDAP) in Nazi Germany, and later throughout German-occupied Europe during World War II. Oberscharfuhrer ([ob.a.fy, lit. 'Senior squad leader') was a Nazi Party paramilitary rank that existed between 1932 and 1945. Oberscharfuhrer was first used as a rank of the Sturmabteilung (SA) and was created due to an expansion of the enlisted positions required by growing SA membership in the late 1920s and early 1930s. Since early ranks of the Schutzstaffel (SS) were identical to the ranks of SA, Oberscharfuhrer was created as an SS rank at the same time the position was created within the SA. 'head storm leader') was a Nazi Party paramilitary rank that was used in several Nazi organizations such as the SS, NSKK and the NSFK. The SS used the rank of Sturmhauptfuhrer from 1930 to 1934 at which time, following the Night of the Long Knives, the name of the rank was changed to Hauptsturmfuhrer although the insignia remained the same. 
