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 excellent condition "textbook" example of an extremely rare German Waffen SS Officer Schirmmütze (Visor Cap), with a lovely "Crushed" saddle-form shape. Made with flexible leather visors and no crown reinforcement, these were quite flexible, and easily took on the iconic shape. The wear on this cap gives it a fantastic well broken in look that is impossible to duplicate, and many consider these to be the "true" crusher cap, flexible enough to almost be folded up.

The cap shows high quality fabrication, made with typical army type feldgrau (Field Gray) green / gray "whipcord weave" wool with a black velvet "plush" material band and a traditional high front. We have been told that the velvet usually indicates that the wearer is an officer, as this could be purchased as an extra cost option, and officer's had to purchase their own caps. 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. We can see no evidence that these insignia have ever been removed from the cap, and no signs that other insignia were ever installed. We have compared them with those on known examples, and the style is correct.

The cap does not have a chin strap, and there is no indication that it was made with one. As the chin straps were not really used, they were omitted sometimes, especially when the uniform would clearly identify the wearer's rank. The black leather visor is still in good shape and supple, though there is cracking and deterioration of the finish on the top, as is common due to age. The black finish deteriorates over time and becomes brittle, which also cracks the leather.

The interior is lined in light gray colored rayon fabric, which shows staining related with use, especially towards the front. The lining does not look to have ever had a celluloid sweat shield on the top, and we cannot see any maker marks, just a size 56 marking. The beige leather sweatband is in very good condition, still supple with no cracks or tears that we can see, and the stitching is fully intact. It definitely does show some wear and staining.

A great condition rare German Waffen SS Officer Visor crush cap, with a rare leather visor. Totally correct and ready to display!