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 interesting example of a "field made" 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, and has a great service worn look. 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 was constructed in the field using materials on hand, so the style and amount of seams definitely differs from factory or workshop made examples. It has a field gray (feldgrau) wool exterior, with a light brown cotton canvas lining, which is completely unmarked. The front peak features as late war Heer style BeVo Wehrmachtadler with gray thread on a green background, and below this is an SS Totenkopf (Death's Head or Skull) badge, woven using white thread on a black background. It is relatively worn, but still conforms to other period examples we have seen. Looking at the cap it is possible that it was made from a Heer army or Police cap, modified to fit.

The cap and insignia definitely show wear, and there are tears and holes on the exterior. The fuzzy "nap" of the fabric has been worn away in a lot of areas, only really preserved under the side flaps and in the top pleat. There is also staining on both the exterior and interior, giving this a great "salty" look. Size seems to be about a 57cm / US 7 1/8.

A great example of a Rare "Field Made" SS Overseas Side cap, ready to research and display!

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.