BACKGROUND: The development of SS camouflage items was initiated by Reichsführer-SS Heinrich Himmler in 1935 when he tasked the Reichsführung-SS, (National Leadership of the SS), to begin research of new camouflage patterns and garments for use by the fledgling SS-VT, SS-Verfugüngstruppe, (SS-Special Purpose Troops). In late 1936 and early 1937 the first SS camouflage garments were issued to personnel of the SS-VT Standarte Deutschland for field testing and evaluation. The first items evaluated were the Quarter shelters/ponchos, followed by steel helmet covers, face masks and smocks. As the war continued various other clothing items were produced in the assorted camouflage patterns. Originally the camouflage patterns were all produced in the time consuming manual screen printing until the development of the machine roller printing in 1940. As the war continued the SS developed and introduced no fewer then ten assorted new camouflage patterns including the, "Plane Tree", camouflage pattern as originally developed in 1936, and utilized by SS-VT personnel until a new Plane Tree pattern was developed in 1940. The new 1940 Plane Tree camouflage patterns was produced in six subtlety different models that were utilized through-out the war. Originally the only camouflage headgear were the steel helmet covers but in warmer climates the helmet was quite often not worn negating the camouflage effect. As a result Reichsführer-SS Heinrich Himmler ordered the development of a camouflage field cap. The camouflage field cap was officially introduced on June 1^ST 1942 and the design was based on the caps worn by Austrian Mountain troops in WWI. The camouflage field cap proved very popular with the troops and was widely issued until manufacture was discontinued in late 1944. Of Note: Originally these caps were to be issued without any insignia but on December 1^ST 1942 new subdued green and brown insignia was introduced on order of Reichsführer-SS Heinrich Himmler. Roughly two weeks later this insignia order was canceled and camouflage field caps produced afterwards were issued without insignia.

PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION: Water-proofed, cotton duck construction, reversible, camouflage field cap with one of the war time, machine rolled, screen printed, "Plane Tree", camouflage patterns as developed in 1940 and reworked through to 1944. Of Note: The war-time "Plane Tree" camouflage was produced in at least six subtly different patterns. The camouflage pattern features a summer camouflage to one side in assorted shades of green, tan and brown, reversible to an autumn camouflage on the other side in assorted shades of tan, brown and orange. The colorations to both sides are still quite strong. The cap features a two piece crown with a central machine stitched seam and a two piece body with a vertical machine stitched seam to both the center of the front and back. Both sides of the cap have, dual, inserted, magnetic sheet metal ventilation grommets positioned just below the crown seams. The front center of the cap has a few small picks and pulls and appears to have had a trapezoidal insignia applied at one time. The cap has an extended, forward visor with an internal stiffener and a subtly raised lip at the forward edge of the autumn camouflage side. The autumn camouflage side has the addition of a small "sweatband" manufactured in the same water-proofed cotton duck as the balance of the cap. The cap has no visible size or manufacturer’s markings. The cap is in overall fairly good condition with light to moderate age and usage toning, a few small picks and pulls and one fair sized tear to the front section. The cap is roughly size 54.

GRADE ***1/2                             PRICE $6,545.00