Cap of the SS: varieties and insignia

The formation of German society during the reign of Adolf Hitler made it an elite part of the military. Senior officers, officers, soldiers had special privileges. But in order for ordinary people to be able to distinguish between military units of different units among themselves, it was decided to develop a military uniform worthy of the Wehrmacht soldiers.

First steps

Different types of troops could be recognized by the color of the uniform:

• Black - tanks;
• Green - infantry;
• Light green - mountain arrows.

Not the least role played and headgear, which differed in form and in distinctive patchwork. The first prototype uniform was created during the November Revolution. Then the rebel troops were equipped with what was left in the "bins" from the First World War. Standardizing the uniform, the government provided the employees with headgear, based on the kepi used in the army of the Austrian Empire.

The first updated prototype was released in 1925. After this, with a difference of 3-4 years, the developers released new samples of both uniforms and hats.

In total, the Supreme Command endorsed five types of caplets until the end of 1943. The caps of SS officers practically did not differ from the headdresses of soldiers below the rank. Only an experienced man could tell at first glance the military of which troops and in what rank is before him.

Mountain Arrows

The mountain cap, which became part of the SS army, was the beginning of the evolution of the headgear of the Führer's army. Initially, it had a green color, and in front of it there were signs distinguishing the German army (skull, eagle and, later, the swastika).

In the future, for a clearer distinction in different types of troops began to introduce patches of different designs. The first to receive this honor were the arrows from the regiments of Prince Eugene and Edelweiss. These SS caps began to turn black, and along with the eagle and skull, an edelweiss image was placed on them on the left side.

Each army had different forms of headgear. They could be round, conical with a crown of different heights. Initially, the cap had a band, fixed with buttons or buttons, which could be turned off in inclement weather. With the advent of new species, this part of the cap of the SS began to bear a purely symbolic character.

When the size of the crown did not allow to place all the insignia in the front part of it, the soldiers were allowed to sew strips in the form of an eagle, edelweiss or swastika on the left side of the cap. But there was always an eagle and a skull sign. They were fastened with a silver thread on a triangular patch.

Cap of SS officers

A special distinction was the headgear for the officers. Kepi, used by soldiers, officers used for field trips. Since 1929, the black cap has become the standard in the soldier's uniform, with a correction for rank. The band was sewn with a white or silver edging, depending on the rank of officer. White used junior staff, and silver - higher ranks.

The officer's cap of the SS, known today, was born in 1936. She had a high crown, a hard band, a visor and a welt (a leather strap or a filigree cord). This part of the wardrobe was part of the officer's uniform.

For convenience in daily use, the filigree cord was replaced with a leather strap. He not only served for beauty, but also was used to secure the cap under his chin. To distinguish the officers on the tunic and above the band, the edge of the desired color was stitched.

Pilot

Interesting is the appearance of the caps as part of the everyday costume of German soldiers. It was developed for pilots of the Luftwaffe, who did not have the opportunity to carry caps or kepi all the time.

A small head-piece of a triangular shape was conveniently folded and could be in a breast pocket during departure. The cockade of the pilots depicted a skull with a swastika and an eagle, and on the left side - wings.

A comfortable and stylish hat was a good substitute for the SS cap. He easily took root in the wardrobe of non-commissioned officers and the High Command.

Marks of Excellence

With the advent of caps, the question of the insignia that were applied to cap and cap: the skull, the eagle, the swastika, the color edging. All of them helped determine whether they belonged to infantry, tank, assault or special detachments.

On any headdress there was the emblem of the skull: somewhere in the form of a patch, somewhere in the form of metal buttons. If other signs could be transferred to the left side of the headdress, the skull was always on the cockade.

So why on the cap of the SS were the skulls?

The skull, or "Adam's head," was used in army badges from the Middle Ages. Thus, the military designated special units, which had a high value for command as combat units.

The skull in the German army emerged from the time of the volunteer corps, formed to fight the German Communists. A little later, already during the spread of the doctrine of fascism across Europe, the skull became a distinctive sign of the SS troops in the submission of Hitler. The sign itself symbolized victory over death.

The German SS cap became the standard for many uniforms in the future. Headdresses of policemen of France, Italy, and also various military divisions are sewn on the basis of caps of the German sample of times of the Second world war.