BACKGROUND: The first pattern SS overseas cap was introduced in June 1934 for wear by EM/NCO’s serving with the Allgemeine-SS, (General-SS), the SS-Totenkopfverbände, (SS-Death’s Head Units), and the SS-Verfügungstruppe, (SS-Special Purpose Troops), which were to become the cadre of the Waffen-SS, (Armed-SS). In 1937 an earth grey version of the first pattern cap was introduced and worn until a second pattern, overseas cap for EM/NCO’s was introduced on November 1^ST 1940. The M40 overseas cap was produced in field-grey for most personnel and black for panzer personnel and was similar in cut to the Luftwaffe’s "schiffchenform", (boat-form), overseas cap and was worn for the duration of the war. In 1939 the Waffen-SS adopted waffenfarben, (Branch of Service Colors), with each branch of service being allocated a specific identifying color which was originally displayed as a soutache on the front of the overseas cap until regulations of October 1942 abolished the use of the soutache and instructed it to be removed from the caps, although the directive was not strictly adhered to. Of Note: The Officers version of the M40 overseas cap was introduced in December 1939 and was slightly different then the EM/NCO’s version and was intended to be adopted for wear by all Officers as of January 1^ST 1940. Prior to the introduction of this overseas cap Waffen-SS Officers had no regulation field headgear and it was not uncommon for them to use the Army M38 overseas caps. On its introduction all Officers M40 overseas caps were piped in silver/aluminum braid until regulations of November 1^ST 1940 restricted wear of the silver/aluminum braid for Officers holding the rank of SS-Oberführer to Reichsführer-SS, while Officers with the ranks of SS-Untersturmführer to SS-Standartenführer utilized white piping. SS Officers and certain senior NCO ranks were responsible for purchasing their own uniforms and headgear and as a result the SS established the SS-Kleiderkasse, (SS-Clothing Account), system in Munich in 1935. The Officers and certain senior NCO’s were allotted a one time clothing allowance from the government with the amount varying depending on the individuals rank. The Officers and certain senior NCO’s could choose to purchase privately tailored garments and headgear of higher quality although the price may have been restrictive. With the rapid expansion of the Waffen-SS after the outbreak of the war the SS-Kleiderkasse also expanded to include no fewer then nine main offices with offices located in some of the occupied countries including, Poland, Norway, France, Czechoslovakia and Russia.

PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION: Field-grey wool/tricot blend construction cap features gently sloping, fold down, scalloped side and back panels. The top edges of the fold down panels are trimmed in white wool waffenfarbe piping indicating officer’s ranks of SS-Untersturmführer to SS-Standartenführer. The front center of the cap has a second pattern, (Circa 1936-1945), machine woven, SS style eagle in silver/grey threads on a cut-out, woven, black rayon base. The front center of the fold down panels has a second pattern, (Circa 1934-1945), machine woven, Totenkopf, (Death’s Head), in silver/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. Both the eagle and skull are neatly handstitched to the cap. The interior of the cap is fully lined in ribbed grey cotton twill. The lining is well marked with a partially illegible, black, manufacturer’s inkstamp that appears to be, "Clemens Wagner Braunschweig". The cap is in overall good condition with small areas of light nap wear, minor age and usage toning, a small rust colored stain and about a half dozen small moth nips. The cap is roughly size 57.

GRADE ***1/2