BACKGROUND: In March 1933 Reichsführer-SS Heinrich Himmler began the formation of the first SS-Wachverbände, (SS-Guard Formations), as a component of the Allgemeine-SS, (General-SS). The SS-Wachverbände drew its personnel from the Allgemeine-SS and were tasked with the guarding of the concentration camps in Greater Germany with the first unit being assigned to Dachau on its formation. By March 1935 there were five battalion strength SS-Wachverbände units with each unit being assigned to a specific concentration camp. On March 29TH 1936 the SS-Wachverbände units were given independent status from the Allgemeine-SS and were renamed, SS-TV, SS-Totenkopfverbände, (Death’s Head Formations). In 1939 the SS-Totenkopfverbände personnel were assigned as the nucleus of the newly forming Waffen-SS-Totenkopf-Division and as a result new Totenkopf-Wachsturmbann, (Death’s Head-Guard Battalion), units were formed and assigned to guard the concentration camps. Later in the war as manpower shortages in the Waffen-SS became more severe many of the younger, physically fit, Totenkopf-Wachsturmbanne personnel were transferred into assorted Waffen-SS units and had to be replaced by older personnel. Originally SS-Totenkopfverbände personnel wore the same black service uniform as the Allgemeine-SS and SS-VT, SS-Verfugüngstruppe, (SS-Special Purpose Troops) personnel until a distinctive earth-brown uniform was introduced in March 1936 exclusively for wear while on active duty within the concentration camps. These earth-brown uniforms, including an overseas cap, were not to be worn in public and were eventually replaced with a field-grey uniform in early 1940.

PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION: First pattern "schiffchenform", (boat form), EM/NCO’s overseas cap originally introduced in 1934, and issued for wear until October 1940 when the second pattern overseas cap was introduced. Field-grey wool construction cap with fold down side and back panels with downward scallops to front and forward sides. Front center of scalloped fold down panels has a die stamped ornamental button with high relief, embossed Totenkopf. Button is held in place by a split "S" ring to reverse of the fold down panel. The left hand side fold down panel has a second pattern, machine embroidered SS eagle in matte silver/grey threads on an inverted, woven, black wool triangular base. The eagle is machine stitched to the cap with the top edge of the triangular base running parallel with the top edge of the fold down panel and the forward corner butting up against scalloped edge. Complete liner. Nice makers mark Georg Teufel and dated for 1939. Size 57. Superb!