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 very nice example of an original Waffen-SS Panzer M-1943 Pattern Cap offered in very good lightly used condition. It does have a period repair on the front left of the fold down skirt, where fabric was grafted into replace an area that had been torn. There is also a partial "ring" of rust staining on the underside, probably from having a helmet resting on top of it. This is only the fourth example we have ever offered, and all examples are extremely rare. 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 cotton / rayon blend 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 only has fabric on the top and around the edges, with the cardboard visible on the underside. Definitely an interesting variation!

Sewn in place in the front of the cap is a standard style SS Panzer Cap Trapezoid constructed of machine woven gray / silver threading in the shape of a standard SS eagle with an SS Totenkopf Skull on black felt 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 only light wear, with a bit of a rust stain ring on the front left, and is marked with size 59 on the inside crown.

Overall, this is a lovely example of a hard to find genuine Waffen SS M43 Panzer Cap! Ready to display!