€ 13.000
1 in stock
This Original Third Reich Allgemeine-SS Officer’s Black Visor Cap is an exceptional and highly desirable example of one of the most recognisable pieces of German military headgear produced during the Third Reich. Manufactured to a high standard and retaining its original period construction, this cap is complete with matching Deschler & Sohn (RZM M1/52) officer’s eagle and Totenkopf insignia. Its untouched appearance, original RZM-labelled interior and excellent state of preservation make it a significant collector’s piece suitable for advanced collections, museums and historical study.
The Allgemeine-SS (General SS) represented the political and administrative branch of the SS before and during the Second World War. Unlike the field-grey uniforms of the Waffen-SS, members of the Allgemeine-SS wore distinctive black uniforms during parades, ceremonial duties and official Party functions. Consequently, original officer’s black visor caps have become among the most sought-after items of Third Reich militaria.
The Allgemeine-SS officer’s black visor cap became one of the defining symbols of the Schutzstaffel during the 1930s. Introduced as part of the black service uniform designed under the direction of Karl Diebitsch and Walter Heck, the visor cap reflected the elite status of SS officers and distinguished them from members of the SA, Wehrmacht and Police organisations.
Officer-grade caps were privately purchased from approved manufacturers operating under the Reichszeugmeisterei (RZM) licensing system. These caps were produced using premium-quality materials, including fine tricot wool, velvet centre bands and silver aluminium officer’s fittings. As the war progressed and black uniforms became less frequently worn, many caps disappeared through combat losses, post-war destruction or souvenir collecting, making surviving untouched examples increasingly scarce.
Today, authentic Allgemeine-SS officer’s visor caps remain among the centrepieces of advanced SS collections.
This cap displays all the construction characteristics expected of an original period example.
The body is manufactured from fine-quality black tricot wool with excellent tailoring throughout. The classic saddle-shaped profile remains well preserved, while the black velvet centre band retains its rich appearance. White wool piping surrounds both the crown and the centre band, correctly identifying the cap as an Allgemeine-SS officer’s visor cap.
The original silver aluminium officer’s chin cords remain securely fitted, displaying the correct braided pattern, knot construction and natural age patina expected from wartime manufacture.
The black lacquered fibre visor retains an attractive original finish with only light age-related wear consistent with careful preservation.
The cap retains its original SS officer’s eagle.
The reverse is correctly marked:
RZM M1/52
The manufacturer code M1/52 identifies Deschler & Sohn of Munich, one of the principal RZM-authorised manufacturers of SS insignia. The eagle displays the correct feather detail, wreath, head profile and attachment pins expected of authentic Deschler production.
Matching maker-marked insignia significantly enhances both originality and collector appeal.
The cap also retains its original officer’s Totenkopf.
Like the eagle, the reverse carries the RZM M1/52 marking for Deschler & Sohn.
The skull displays the correct:
Its natural silver-grey finish and honest age patina further support originality.
The interior remains remarkably well preserved.
Features include:
The printed label reads:
TUCHMÜTZE für SS
Size 58
The leather sweatband displays honest age-related wear together with a small period split, entirely consistent with an original visor cap over eighty years old.
Evidence of earlier oxidation beneath the sweatband confirms that the insignia remained attached for many decades before careful examination, a feature commonly encountered on untouched period examples.
Several features support the authenticity of this Allgemeine-SS officer’s visor cap.
These include:
Taken together, these characteristics indicate a genuine wartime Allgemeine-SS officer’s visor cap retaining matching period insignia.
The cap remains in very good original condition.
The exterior cloth is clean and retains excellent colour. The velvet band remains attractive with only light signs of age. The leather sweatband exhibits expected period wear together with a small age split but remains structurally sound. The silk lining is complete and retains its original manufacturer’s label. Both insignia remain crisp with pleasing untouched patina.
Overall, this example presents exceptionally well and displays the honest ageing expected of an authentic surviving SS officer’s visor cap.
Original Allgemeine-SS officer’s visor caps have become increasingly difficult to obtain, particularly examples retaining:
Such examples rarely remain available for long and continue to attract significant interest from serious militaria collectors worldwide.
Demand for authentic Allgemeine-SS officer’s visor caps continues to increase while surviving original examples become progressively scarcer.
Caps retaining matching Deschler insignia, original interiors and honest untouched condition consistently command premium prices within the international militaria market and remain among the strongest-performing categories of Third Reich headgear.
Organisation: Allgemeine-SS
Rank: Officer
Period: Third Reich, circa 1935–1945
Material: Black tricot wool with black velvet centre band
Piping: White
Insignia: Original Deschler & Sohn RZM M1/52 Eagle and Totenkopf
Chin Cords: Original silver aluminium officer’s cords
Interior: Original leather sweatband and silk lining
Size: 58
Manufacturer Label: Tuchmütze für SS
Condition: Excellent original collector condition
This Allgemeine-SS officer’s black visor cap has been examined for its construction, materials, insignia, interior fittings and period manufacturing characteristics. Every major component displays features consistent with original wartime production, making it an outstanding example for advanced collectors, museums and historical collections.
Original Allgemeine-SS Officer’s Black Visor Cap
Original Allgemeine-SS Officer’s Black Visor Cap | Deschler M1/52 | Original Third Reich SS Visor
Original Allgemeine-SS officer’s black visor cap with matching Deschler M1/52 insignia, original RZM label, size 58, excellent condition and museum-quality provenance-ready example.
