BACKGROUND: The origins of the 3RD SS-Panzer-Division "Totenkopf" can be traced back to the formation of the SS-Wachverbände, (SS-Guard Units) in March 1933 which was re-designated, SS-Totenkopfverbände, (SS-Death’s Head Units), on March 29TH 1936. The SS-Wachverbände began to wear the distinctive Death’s head collar tabs on both collars sometime in 1935 with the death’s heads positioned horizontally on the collar tabs. In October 1939 personnel from the SS-Totenkopfverbände were recruited to compose the cadre of the newly forming SS-Totenkopf-Division and continued to wear the death’s head, positioned vertically, on the right collar tab. In May 1940 personnel of the SS-Totenkopf-Division altered the positioning of the death’s head from the vertical position to the horizontal position while personnel remaining with the SS-Totenkopfverbände did the exact opposite by exchanging the horizontal positioning for the vertical positioning, on the same date. The vertical positioning of the death’s head and the inclusion of the alternating silver/aluminum and black outer edge piping on the collar tab, indicate a post-May 1940 example intended for wear by personnel serving with SS-Totenkopfverbände.

PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION: Right hand side, unit designation, collar tab features a machine embroidered, vertically positioned, skull superimposed over crossed bones in silver/grey threads on a black wool base. The skull has nice teeth, eye, nose and cranium detailing. The collar tab is mounted on a light tan buckram backing. Comes with blank rank tab. Uniform removed.