BACKGROUND: The exact use of the SS clothing chits is uncertain but presumably they were used to keep track of issued clothing items or were used as an identifying "coat-check" chit at garrison mess halls. The SS-TV, SS-Totenkopfverbände, (SS-Death’s Head Units), were originally formed in March 1933 as the SS-Wachverbände, (SS-Guard Units), as a sub-component of the Allgemeine-SS, (General-SS). On March 29^TH 1936 the SS-Wachverbände was redesignated SS-Totenkopfverbände and in April 1936 it was granted independent status from the Allgemeine-SS and placed under control of Reichsführer-SS Heinrich Himmler in his position of Chef der Deutschen Polizei im Reichsministerium des Innern, (Chief of the German Police in the National Ministry of the Interior). From its inception in 1933 until October 1939 the SS-TV was tasked with providing guards for the German concentration camp at Dachau. Of Note: The SS-FHA, SS-Führungshauptamt, (SS-Operational Headquarters), and the SS-WVHA, SS-Wirtschafts und Verwaltungs Hauptamt, (SS-Economic and Administration Department) were the two organizations responsible for supplying and maintaining all personnel of the SS. The SS-FHA was responsible for issuing the initial equipment, supply and maintenance of weapons and ammunition, and the supply of technical equipment and transport vehicles. The SS-WVHA, was responsible for issue of clothing and personal equipment items as well as rations including horse and pack animal fodder and personal fuel items.

PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION: Roughly 1 5/8" tall, 1 1/8" wide, vertically oval, stamped, natural aluminum, clothing chit with the embossed unit designation abbreviation, "8/3.SS-T.ST", (8^TH Company 3^RD SS-Totenkopf Sturmbann), a serial number, "131", and the item designation, "Mantel, Schwarz", (Greatcoat, Black). The chit has a hole punched near the top edge an the reverse is a mirror image of the obverse. The chit is in overall very good condition with minimal age toning and surface scratching. Interesting item.

GRADE ****                             PRICE $117.00