Original Item: Only One Available. The SS (Schutzstaffel) 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 Germany eventually controlled nearly every function of German life and much of Occupied Europe.

Here we have a very nice example of a rare German SS Totenkopf (Death's Head) Badge for Schirmmützen (Visor Caps), with one of the original brass attachment tabs still intact, while the other broke off just above the attachment point. The iconic "Death's Head" emblem, used for centuries in Europe before being co-opted by the SS, is made of zinc alloy, which was originally fully silver or aluminum washed, but now shows mostly a gray oxidized patina.

This example is marked on the back with ((RZM)) over M1/24, indicating early manufacture by Overhoff & Cie of Lüdenscheid, who was at one time the only contractor the SS used for insignia, belt buckles, and other items. Later on the SS would use their own RZM codes exclusive to the organization. We have looked at the overall design as well as the cranial "sutures", comparing it to several other examples, and it is totally correct.

Condition is very good, especially considering the age. There are not any dents or damage to the skull, which still shows the full details, with the only real issue being the missing brass tab on the back. The aluminized finish is mostly missing from the front, now present only in the recessed areas. Measures approximately 31mm x 29mm.

The perfect way to dress up an SS Visor cap that may be missing its badge. Ready to add to your collection.

Of Note: In late 1934 items manufactured for the NSDAP and other organizations, including membership pins, came under the quality control of the RZM, Reichzeugmeisterei, (National Equipment Quartermaster) and as a result were marked with the RZM logo when appropriate. The registry was based at the Brown house in Munich and NSDAP party headquarters in Berlin. The RZM ensured that the manufacturers of military items were consistent in design, quality of materials and other characteristics of the items. It also defined standards of design, manufacturing and quality and published an authoritative color chart for textiles. The M1 in the code stands for Metal Badges, with Overhoff & Cie of Lüdenscheid being contractor number 24.

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 Totenkopf (death's head) 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.<