Description Allgemeine SS Officers cap (Schirmutzen). Black gabardine fabric, velvet band, leather sweatband, silver bullion strap and quality metal cap insignia. Note these are made in Germany by Erel (Robert Lubstien) one of the original makers. A genuine quality item. Allgemeine SS Officers cap by EREL. Historical information The first black SS cap was introduced in 1932 for officers NCO`s and enlisted men. The design was a black smooth twill top with black band and white piping. Officers would come with a silver bullion wire chinstrap, other ranks would have a leather chinstrap joined in the middle. SS Officers would have silver pebbled buttons and other ranks Black metal buttons. The first version was without an internal stiffener so had a crushed appearance. After 1934 a celluloid sweatshield was included. This included a burnt orange colour set of SS runes. It allowed the owners a space to write his details in. Also a wire stiffener was added but often removed. These caps were saddle shaped for officers and plate shaped for other ranks. Note the early pattern had the 1st pattern SS metal cap insignia. These early issue caps had a smooth leather peak which was replaced in 34/35 with a Black vulkanfiber peak . The final issue was the M36 which featured the new 2nd pattern metal insignia. These comprised of a large eagle and the grinning totenkopf with lower jaw. Early badges were stamped from brass with a coating of silver. later examples were aluminium and sometimes privately purchased .800 silver badges. The white summer version of the SS visor cap was introduced in 1939 for both officers and other ranks. black velvet band, Black Gabardine fabric white piping silver bullion wire chinstrap, silver pebbled buttons black vulcanfibre peak. Quality leather sweatband Made in Germany refs: Kit Wilson- SS Headgear. a collectors guide
