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.

This is an extremely rare German Waffen SS "Other Ranks" EM/NCO Schirmmütze (Visor Cap), with a lovely "Crushed" shape. This "saddle-form" shape is highly desirable, and later in the war caps were made without stiffeners, so they would have this shape from the start. The cap shows high quality fabrication, made with typical army type feldgrau (Field Gray) green / gray "doeskin" wool with a black felt band and a traditional high front. The Weiß (white) wool triple piping is still in great shape, and does not have much "age toning" at all, still showing a vibrant color. As with the Heer, this is the SS Waffenfarbe (Corps Color) for Infantry, Motorized infantry, and Panzergrenadier troops.

The center band is produced in black felt badge cloth and in very good condition. The original Reichsadler (National Eagle) and Totenkopf (Skull) emblems are present, and in very good condition. Both still retain a lot of the original aluminized "silvering", with some loss on the wear points as shown. The black leather chinstrap is present, retained by the proper black enameled buttons, and is still in very good shape, without any tearing or major deterioration of the finish. It is a bit stiff, as to be expected, but this is definitely a prime example. The black vulcanfibre visor is in very good condition, with a checkered brown underside. The top of the visor shows a lovely pattern of checking and crazing due to deterioration of the top finish.

The interior is lined with light blue rayon on the top, with light blue botton on the sides, and shows staining from wear and use. The top celluloid sweat shield diamond is present, but shows some cracking with a few missing pieces, and mostly intact stitching. We can see that the shield was originally marked with Deutsche Wertarbeit, which translates to "German Workmanship", a common phrase seen on high end caps. There are also numerous stamped and written numbers on the interior, which we have been told are from use after the war in Moscow as a costume piece for movies. There are some very faint markings on the bottom of the supple leather sweatband, which may have been replaced at some point. The leather is light brown finished, showing wear from use, but no major damage. The size seems to be about a 56cm.

Overall condition is just lovely, with a great "been there" look, and this is definitely a cap with a long history of use. A very nice German Waffen SS EM/NCO Visor cap, with a beautiful crushed shape and some great research potential. Ready to display!