BACKGROUND: On July 20TH 1934 shortly after the purge of the SA, Sturm Abteilung, (Storm/Assault Detachment), on the "Night of the Long Knives", (June 30TH 1934), the SS, Schutz Staffel, (Protection Squad), was rewarded by Hitler by being granted the status of an independent organization under direct control of the NSDAP, Nationalsozialistische Deutsche Arbeiterpartei, (National Socialist German Workers Party). On October 6TH 1934 in an attempt to distance themselves from the SA, the SS introduced a new pattern cap skull to replace the previously used Imperial Prussian Danziger style skull. The machine woven example was first introduced sometime in 1939, and was based on the 1934, metal pattern skull. The machine woven skull was designed for use on the overseas and M43 style caps although it was also occasionally utilized on the visor caps.

PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION: BeVo, machine woven construction skull and cross bones in silvery/grey threads with black accent threads on a cut-out woven black rayon base. The skull features a bottom jaw, dual rows of teeth and nice eye, nose and cranium detailing. Removed from a cap.