Exceptionally rare Original SS Officer White Summer Visor Cap, representing the distinctive weiße Sommerschirmmütze authorised for officers of the Allgemeine-SS and SS-Verfügungstruppe.
The cap combines a fine cream-white summer crown with a deep black velvet centre band, silver-coloured officer chin cords, black vulcanised-fibre visor and silvered SS eagle and Totenkopf insignia.
Its interior retains the light-coloured rayon lining, stitched sweat-shield diamond and ventilated tan leather sweatband. The cap displays convincing age, patination and wear while retaining an exceptionally attractive overall appearance.
€ 10.950
1 in stock
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Recommended retail price: €10,500
Exceptionally rare Original SS Officer White Summer Visor Cap, representing the distinctive weiße Sommerschirmmütze authorised for officers of the Allgemeine-SS and SS-Verfügungstruppe.
The cap combines a fine cream-white summer crown with a deep black velvet centre band, silver-coloured officer chin cords, black vulcanised-fibre visor and silvered SS eagle and Totenkopf insignia.
Its interior retains the light-coloured rayon lining, stitched sweat-shield diamond and ventilated tan leather sweatband. The cap displays convincing age, patination and wear while retaining an exceptionally attractive overall appearance.
This Original SS Officer White Summer Visor Cap represents one of the most distinctive and difficult-to-find forms of SS officer headgear produced during the Third Reich period.
Unlike the familiar black Allgemeine-SS visor cap, this version has a pale white or cream crown contrasting dramatically with its deep black velvet centre band.
The design was associated with the short-lived white summer uniform introduced for officers and other authorised personnel in 1939. Contemporary specialist references record its use by both the Allgemeine-SS and SS-Verfügungstruppe.
Collectors wishing to compare other original SS uniform material can explore the Nordmenn Uniform Collection here:
Original Third Reich Uniforms – Nordmenn
INBOUND / INTERNAL LINK 1
The pale crown immediately distinguishes this cap from standard black SS headgear.
The material has now developed an attractive warm ivory or cream tone rather than appearing stark white. Such colour change can result naturally from age, light exposure and storage.
Importantly, the individual panels retain their fine diagonal weave and carefully tailored seams.
The crown also retains an impressive formal profile. Consequently, the cap remains extremely effective when displayed from the front.
Specialist dealer Helmut Weitze describes surviving SS white summer visor caps as exceptionally rare and records the white cap as a private-purchase item associated with the summer service uniform.
A broad black velvet centre band surrounds the cap.
Its deep colour provides the characteristic contrast against the pale crown.
The velvet retains considerable nap and shows only modest age-related surface contamination. The original seams remain visible, including the rear joining seam shown in the photographs.
Light-coloured piping borders the centre-band area.
This feature is important when establishing the wearer category.
Weitze notes that junior and middle-ranking SS officers from SS-Untersturmführer through SS-Standartenführer used white piping, whereas SS general officers from Brigadeführer upwards could have metallic silver piping.
On the photographs supplied, the piping appears white or cream textile rather than metallic silver. Therefore, I would catalogue this as an SS officer’s cap rather than an SS general officer’s cap unless an in-hand examination demonstrates metallic silver piping.
A silver-grey double braided officer cord runs across the front.
The cord remains complete with its decorative sliders and matching textured side buttons.
Its construction identifies this as officer-quality headgear rather than the enlisted/NCO configuration normally fitted with a black leather chin strap.
The cord has developed a subdued grey patina which works extremely well with the aged insignia.
A current specialist comparison at Ulric of England describes an original SS Officer White Summer Top Visor Cap with the same fundamental combination of white lightweight crown, black velvet band, white edge piping, silver cap cords, silvered eagle and Totenkopf. That example is currently offered at £9,750.
Ulric of England – SS Officer White Summer Visor Cap Comparison
OUTBOUND LINK 1
The front of the crown carries the characteristic spread-wing SS national eagle.
Its elongated horizontal wings and central swastika wreath correspond with the later SS visor-cap eagle configuration.
Significant oxidation and patination now cover the surface.
Importantly, the insignia has not been polished back to bright metal. That is desirable from a preservation standpoint because aggressive cleaning would remove original surface and age evidence.
The reddish-brown areas visible on the eagle should therefore remain untouched.
Centrally positioned on the black velvet band is the iconic SS Totenkopf.
The skull retains well-defined eye sockets, nasal opening, teeth and lateral bone details.
Its finish shows extensive natural-looking ageing, with silver-grey and brown tones across the surface.
The relationship between the skull, the velvet beneath it and the surrounding cord is visually convincing in the supplied photographs.
Nevertheless, because SS cap insignia are extensively reproduced, the reverse of both the eagle and Totenkopf should be photographed before the listing is described as unquestionably original throughout.
The attachment pins, maker markings if present, protected surface beneath the fittings and corresponding penetration points through the crown are valuable authentication evidence.
The cap retains a high-gloss black visor.
Its surface displays numerous extremely fine age and handling lines rather than heavy damage.
The visor profile remains excellent.
Black vulcanised-fibre visors are documented on surviving original SS white summer visor caps. Helmut Weitze specifically records this construction on an original white summer example.
Therefore, the visor type seen here is consistent with the expected period configuration.
The interior retains a broad tan leather sweatband.
Ventilation perforations are present around the forehead area.
Natural creasing, light staining, small scratches and minor dryness have developed across the leather.
More importantly, the wear is not excessive or artificially uniform.
The rear joining section and bow remain visible.
Several surviving high-quality SS private-purchase visor caps use very similar light-coloured ventilated sweatbands. A current Weitze white summer example also retains a pale perforated sweat leather.
The crown is lined with pale cream or white rayon.
Its remarkably clean appearance is nevertheless accompanied by small stains, fine marks, creasing and loose threads consistent with age and handling.
A stitched diamond occupies the centre.
Unlike many commercial caps, no maker’s name is presently visible within the diamond.
That should be stated accurately rather than inventing a maker attribution.
The absence of an obvious maker mark does not itself prove or disprove originality because privately purchased headgear exists in numerous construction variations.
The overall quality is superior to basic issue headgear.
Careful shaping of the crown, velvet band, officer cord, leather sweatband and neatly finished lining indicate a private-purchase quality cap.
SS officers were responsible for obtaining much of their own uniform equipment and could purchase better-quality privately manufactured headgear.
Comparable surviving officer caps consequently display considerable differences in shape, cloth, interior finishing and maker presentation.
The white SS summer uniform was introduced in June 1939.
The accompanying white visor cap was intended for warm-weather wear and provided a striking alternative to the standard black uniform.
Specialist references record seasonal wear from approximately April through September. However, the uniform was expensive and had only a short practical life because wartime conditions quickly made elaborate white service dress increasingly impractical.
This limited period of production is one reason genuine surviving white SS visor caps are significantly scarcer than standard black examples.
For wider historical context regarding the organisation represented by this uniform, the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum provides an extensive history of the SS and its central role in Nazi persecution and mass murder.
United States Holocaust Memorial Museum – History of the SS
OUTBOUND LINK 2
The German Federal Archives also maintains extensive surviving documentary holdings relating to the SS and provides guidance for researching SS personnel and organisations.
Bundesarchiv – Archival Records Relating to the SS
OUTBOUND LINK 3
The photographs show a silver officer cord but apparently white textile piping.
That combination is significant.
Based on the available photographs, I would identify the cap as suitable for an SS officer within approximately:
SS-Untersturmführer through SS-Standartenführer
rather than SS-Brigadeführer or above.
A true general officer white summer cap would normally display metallic silver piping in addition to the silver officer cords. Weitze documents precisely this distinction on an original SS general officer white summer example.
Therefore, the safer catalogue title is:
rather than:
From these photographs, this cap has a number of encouraging characteristics consistent with a genuine period SS white summer officer visor cap.
The pale finely woven crown, black velvet band, light piping, silver officer cords, black vulcanised-fibre visor, ventilated tan sweatband and pale rayon interior correspond well with documented originals.
Furthermore, the ageing of the textiles and interior is not obviously uniform or artificially exaggerated.
However, I would not yet write “guaranteed original throughout” solely from these photographs.
Before publication at a five-figure price, I would photograph and examine:
If those examinations are satisfactory, the cap could be catalogued with considerably greater confidence as an original period piece.
Overall I would grade the cap very good, with exceptionally strong visual presentation.
The crown retains an excellent shape.
The white cloth has mellowed naturally toward cream and displays modest age-related soiling.
The black velvet band remains very strong.
Silver cords survive complete.
Both insignia retain substantial age patina and should remain uncleaned.
The black visor remains glossy, despite fine surface lines.
Inside, the leather sweatband is complete with age-related wear. Likewise, the pale rayon lining remains remarkably well preserved.
There is no major moth damage visible in the photographs supplied.
This cap represents a considerably scarcer category than the standard black Allgemeine-SS officer visor.
Its appeal comes from the unusual contrast of the cream-white crown, black velvet band and silver insignia.
Furthermore, the complete officer cords, clean interior and excellent profile make it particularly suitable for an advanced SS headgear collection.
Collectors can view additional related material through the following Nordmenn categories.
INBOUND / INTERNAL LINKS
Original Third Reich Uniforms and Headgear
These should be inserted naturally into the body copy, not simply placed at the bottom, so Yoast recognises them as genuine internal links.
Object: Officer’s peaked visor cap
German designation: Weiße Sommerschirmmütze für SS-Führer
Organisation: Allgemeine-SS / SS-Verfügungstruppe
Period: circa 1939–1940
Rank category: Officer, probably SS-Untersturmführer–SS-Standartenführer
Crown: White/cream fine cloth
Band: Black velvet
Piping: Apparently white textile
Cord: Silver officer cord
Insignia: Silvered SS eagle and Totenkopf
Visor: Black vulcanised fibre
Interior: Pale rayon, stitched sweat diamond, ventilated tan leather sweatband
Maker: Not visible / presently unidentified
Condition: Very good
