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 H. 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 NSDAP 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. As with the regular Heer Army, they had various different types of units, including Panzer armored units. There were seven Waffen-SS Panzer divisions in total.

This is a great example of an original Waffen-SS Panzer M-1943 Pattern Cap offered in excellent nearly unissued condition! This would certainly be a very difficult cap to upgrade from. This is only the third example we have ever offered, and a prime specimen at that! It is generally felt that a lot of these were made at the Dachau camp, however we have no way to verify this.

Constructed of black wool with a gray blue HBT rayon lining, with fold-down panels that have squared scallops to the front and forward sides, covering the entire neck on the sides and rear when in use. There are also the correct "ear loops" on either side. When not in use, the panels are raised with their ends resting upon the visor, being joined together via two black buttons. The visor is reinforced with cardboard, and covered in matching wool cloth.

Sewn in place in the front of the cap is a standard style SS Panzer Cap Trapezoid constructed of BeVo machine woven gray / silver threading in the shape of a standard SS eagle with an SS Totenkopf Skull on black rayon backing. It is original to the cap and is machine-sewn to the outside fabric only with black thread, showing that it was sewn before the cap was assembled. The interior of the cap shows little to no wear, and is marked on the crown with maker code and date 892 / 44 over size 56.

Overall, this is an excellent well marked example of a hard to find genuine Waffen SS M43 Panzer Cap! Ready to display!