Original Item: Only One Available. The SS (Schutzstaffel - 'Protection Squadron') was originally formed in 1925, ostensibly to act as a small, loyal bodyguard unit to protect the Führer, Adolf AH. Under the direction of the Reichsführer-SS Heinrich Himmler, the SS grew to be the most ruthless and feared organization of the 20th century. They were the vanguard of NSDAPsm and eventually controlled nearly every function of German life and much of Occupied Europe. When WWII began in earnest, the SS-Verfügungstruppe (SS-VT) (SS Dispositional Troops) became the Waffen-SS ("Armed SS"), an official military branch of the SS organization. Its formations included men from NSDAP ruled Germany, along with volunteers and conscripts from both occupied and unoccupied lands.

The first pattern SS overseas cap was introduced in June 1934 for wear by EM/NCO’s serving with the Allgemeine-SS, (General-SS), the SS-Totenkopfverbände, (SS-Death’s Head Units), and the SS-Verfügungstruppe, (SS-Special Purpose Troops), which were to become the cadre of the Waffen-SS, (Armed-SS). In 1937 an earth grey version of the first pattern cap was introduced and worn until a second pattern, overseas cap for EM/NCO’s was introduced on November 1st 1940. The M40 overseas cap was produced in field-grey for most personnel and black for panzer personnel and was similar in cut to the Luftwaffe’s schiffchenform (boat-form), overseas cap and was worn for the duration of the war.

This is a very good condition example of a German WWII Waffen SS 2nd Pattern M40 Overseas Cap (Feldmütze neuer Art) for Enlisted Men and NCOS, also called “Other Ranks” Personnel. It was acquired at a recent military show from the family of a WWII Veteran. The overseas cap, nicknamed in German military slang as Schiffchen, or literally "little ship" as it resembled an up-turned row-boat, was standard issue for all branches of the military, including the Waffen SS.

This example is constructed of a a field gray (feldgrau) wool exterior, with a black cotton lining marked with size 60. It features a fine machine embroidered eagle, with silver gray thread on a black base, the standard SS colors. In the front center is the SS Totenkopf (Death's Head or Skull) badge, also machine embroidered with the correct silver gray thread on a black background. We have compared them with verified period examples, and the weave pattern is correct. The insignia show a bit of light staining and wear from use, but overall are still in great condition, hand stitched to the body of the cap with black thread. They are only stitched to the the outer layer of the fabric, so they were installed when the cap was being made.

Condition of this cap is very good, showing only light wear and minor staining to the exterior. It does show some wear to the "nap" of the worsted wool fabric, however the "fuzzy" texture is still fully present under the side flaps. There is a bit of light mothing on the right flap of the cap.

A great example of a Rare SS Overseas Side cap in a nice large size, ready to add to your collection!

The Allgemeine-SS, (General-SS), was originally formed in May 1923 as the Stosstrupp Adolf AH, (Shock Troops Adolf AH), and was redesignated Schutzstaffel, (Protection Squad), in April 1925 with the official acceptance of the name verified on the second anniversary of the failed Munich "Beer-Hall" Putsch on November 9TH 1925. On January 6TH 1929 Heinrich Himmler was appointed as Reichsführer-SS, (National Leader {of the} SS), and on July 20TH 1934 shortly after the, June 30TH 1934, purge of the SA, Sturm Abteilung, (Storm Troopers) on the "Night of the Long Knives", the SS was rewarded by AH by being granted the status of an independent organization under direct control of the NSDAP, Nationalsozialistische Deutsche Arbeiterpartei, (National Socialist German Worker’s Party).

The SS developed the distinctive SS style cap skull and cross bones on October 6TH 1934 and introduced the SS pattern national cap eagle in February 1936. After their introductions the skull and eagle were to be worn on all forms of SS headgear. In 1944 the SS developed a single piece of cap insignia which incorporated both the skull and eagle on a one piece trapezoid base for wear on the M43 field cap. Originally these trapezoidal pieces of insignia were produced in a machine woven version until a final, embroidered version was introduced in late 1944. The first versions of the trapezoidal cap insignia featured dual rows of teeth in the skull while later versions only had a single row of teeth. Panzer personnel’s cap trapezoids were produced with a black base to match the color of the cap it was to be worn on.