Exceptionally rare SS Officer Dress Set comprising a silver-aluminium SS brocade belt, RZM 36/40 Overhoff & Cie. officer buckle, rare 1937/38-pattern SS adjutant aiguillette and period circular storage box. The aiguillette measures approximately 70 cm with two 8 cm oak-leaf and SS-rune decorated metal tips. A highly desirable and visually impressive surviving SS formal uniform ensemble.
€ 11.500
1 in stock
This SS Officer Dress Set is an exceptionally rare surviving ensemble of formal SS uniform accessories. Preserved together are a silver-aluminium SS officer brocade belt, an RZM-marked Overhoff & Cie. officer buckle, a scarce 1937/38-pattern SS adjutant aiguillette and the original-style circular storage box in which the group has been kept.
Most importantly, the buckle carries the desirable RZM 36/40, SS and OLC/Overhoff markings associated with Overhoff & Cie. of Lüdenscheid. The aiguillette measures approximately 70 cm at its longest cord, while each decorated metal needle tip measures approximately 8 cm.
Together, these components form an impressive and highly specialised SS Officer Dress Set suitable for an advanced collection or museum display.
The ensemble comprises four principal components:
Although each item is collectible in its own right, the survival of the complete group together greatly increases its visual and historical importance.
The brocade belt features a richly woven silver-aluminium face incorporating repeated SS motifs and stylised foliate decoration.
Running along each edge are narrow black and silver woven borders. On the reverse, a black textile covering encloses the main body of the belt. A brown leather adjustment tongue remains fitted internally.
The metallic weave shows age toning and oxidation throughout. In addition, exposed areas display brown and copper-coloured highlights caused by deterioration of the metallic threads.
Rather than detracting from the belt, this natural ageing gives the surface considerable character.
Important characteristics include:
Close examination of the weave is particularly important because modern reproductions of SS brocade belts exist.
The decorative elements on this example appear woven into the fabric rather than printed or applied to its surface. Furthermore, the ageing is uneven and naturally concentrated across exposed metallic areas.
For comparative reference, see Ratisbon’s SS officer belt and buckle archive.
A particularly significant component of this SS Officer Dress Set is the circular officer buckle.
The obverse displays a national eagle above a wreath and central swastika. Surrounding the design is the SS motto:
Meine Ehre heißt Treue
Strong relief remains visible throughout the eagle, wreath and lettering.
On the reverse, the buckle retains its original-style attachment system. The construction includes a rectangular belt bar, hinged securing assembly and twin fixing prongs.
Most importantly, the reverse carries the following markings:
RZM
36/40
SS
OLC / Overhoff emblem
These markings are associated with Overhoff & Cie., Lüdenscheid, one of the best-known manufacturers of SS belt buckles.
The 36/40 marking identifies the Overhoff RZM manufacturer number together with the 1940 production date.
A comparable authenticated example can be viewed through the Gettysburg Museum of History Overhoff SS officer buckle reference.
Several details support the period character of the buckle.
The high points of the eagle and lettering show natural wear. Meanwhile, protected recesses retain darker oxidation.
Ageing continues across the reverse mechanism and attachment fittings. Consequently, the buckle presents a coherent overall surface rather than the artificially uniform finish often seen on modern reproductions.
Important features include:
The aiguillette is the rarest individual component within the set.
Collectors generally identify this design as the 1937/38-pattern SS Adjutantenschnur, also described as an Allgemeine-SS dress aiguillette.
Its construction combines silver-aluminium cord with repeated woven black details. Complex braided sections join the longer loops, while two ornate metal needle tips hang from the lower portion.
Unlike ordinary German officer aiguillettes, this pattern incorporates unmistakable SS-specific decoration.
Ulric of England documents a closely comparable example and describes the pattern as an extreme rarity. Their reference can be viewed here: Ulric of England – Allgemeine-SS Dress Aiguillette.
Longest cord: approximately 70 cm
Metal needle tips: approximately 8 cm each
These dimensions correspond with a full-size uniform accessory rather than a miniature or souvenir version.
The cord consists of tightly woven silver-aluminium material.
Black sections appear repeatedly within the actual weave. As a result, the dark decoration forms an integral part of the construction rather than being surface-applied.
Several areas retain particularly clear weaving detail. Elsewhere, normal age has slightly softened the metallic appearance.
The braided sections remain well formed, while the textile attachment points display appropriate wear and loose fibres.
Such wear should remain untouched.
Both approximately 8 cm metal tips survive.
Each upper ferrule carries raised stylised oak-leaf decoration. Beneath the foliage sits a rope-form collar leading into the elongated shaft.
Prominent raised SS rune devices decorate the central sections.
Further diagonal ribbing appears toward the lower end before each tip terminates in a rounded finial.
Patination has developed naturally in the recessed decoration. By contrast, the raised edges and SS runes show greater wear.
This differential ageing is particularly attractive and gives the fittings a convincing period appearance.
The entire SS Officer Dress Set is preserved inside a large circular black-covered storage box.
Its exterior carries a textured black finish. Inside, a blue lining provides contrast with the silver and black dress accessories.
The circular shape allows the brocade belt to sit naturally around the outer edge. At the same time, the buckle and aiguillette can be safely stored within the centre.
Period German officer brocade belts are known with circular storage and presentation boxes of this general form.
A comparable officer parade belt box containing dress accessories can be viewed at Regimentals.
The survival of the box materially improves the presentation of the ensemble.
More importantly, the box has allowed the belt, buckle and aiguillette to remain stored together.
Without named provenance, however, it would be too strong to claim that every component was originally factory-issued as one matched set.
For accurate museum-style cataloguing, the ensemble is therefore best described as:
“SS officer dress accessories preserved together in their accompanying period circular storage box.”
This wording recognises the importance of the grouping without making an unsupported recipient attribution.
Formal SS uniforms incorporated a range of specialised dress accessories.
Officer brocade belts provided a highly decorative alternative to ordinary leather service belts. Circular officer buckles were fitted to these belts for parade and formal wear.
By comparison, the SS adjutant aiguillette had a much more restricted function.
Its distinctive black and silver construction and SS rune-decorated metal tips identified it as a specialised uniform accessory associated with appointed SS adjutants and senior dress regulations.
For broader historical research into SS records and surviving wartime documentation, see the German Federal Archives – Bundesarchiv.
Taken together, the three principal components display numerous characteristics associated with wartime manufacture.
Encouraging characteristics include:
Strong features include:
The maker markings provide particularly useful comparative evidence.
Positive characteristics include:
The ensemble is strongly consistent with an original wartime SS officer dress grouping.
Nevertheless, any high-value SS uniform accessory should ultimately receive hands-on examination before an absolute guarantee of authenticity is issued.
From the available photographs, no obvious fatal reproduction characteristic is visible.
The complete SS Officer Dress Set remains in very good historical condition.
Age toning is visible throughout the brocade belt. Despite this wear, the woven decoration remains clearly identifiable.
Strong relief survives on the Overhoff buckle. The important reverse markings also remain legible.
Both SS aiguillette tips are present, and the cords retain their elaborate braided construction.
Storage wear can be seen on the circular box, although its overall presentation remains excellent.
No component should be polished.
Cleaning the silver brocade could remove surviving metallic finish or weaken individual threads. Similarly, polishing the buckle would destroy the naturally aged surface.
The aiguillette tips should also remain untouched.
When stored, the cord should be supported rather than left hanging from its textile attachment points.
Leather dressing should not be applied to the adjustment tongue unless professional conservation becomes necessary.
Original SS officer dress accessories are already difficult to locate individually.
Complete ensembles are considerably harder to obtain.
The Overhoff buckle offers a desirable manufacturer attribution. Meanwhile, the brocade belt provides the correct formal context for the buckle.
Most importantly, the rare SS aiguillette raises the significance of the set substantially.
Ulric of England describes surviving examples of the related 1937-pattern aiguillette as exceptionally scarce.
Another important comparison comes from the Dave Delich Collection, one of the most respected specialist collections of SS insignia and uniforms assembled during the post-war period.
Hermann Historica sold a comparable 1938-pattern SS aiguillette from that collection in 2025.
For further reference, see Hermann Historica.
An ordinary SS officer brocade belt and buckle already occupies a high level within the militaria market.
Adding a rare original-type SS adjutant aiguillette changes the value considerably.
Recent specialist results demonstrate particularly strong demand for complete and unquestioned SS uniform accessories.
A comparable 1938-pattern aiguillette from the Dave Delich Collection achieved €9,500 hammer in 2025.
Naturally, the famous Delich provenance added a substantial premium.
Nevertheless, that result demonstrates the scarcity and market strength of this aiguillette pattern.
The circular storage box adds further desirability because it allows the ensemble to remain preserved and displayed together.
Several factors influence the value of this SS Officer Dress Set:
Explore related listings: Special items; SS Militaria; Third Reich Awards, Insignia and Uniform Accessories; Nordmenn Militaria Shop.
Compare the rare aiguillette with the Ulric of England Allgemeine-SS Dress Aiguillette.
Research comparable premium SS material through Hermann Historica.
Examine a comparable maker-marked buckle through the Gettysburg Museum of History.
Consult surviving German archival material through the Bundesarchiv.
This SS Officer Dress Set brings together several highly desirable elements of formal SS uniform equipment.
At its centre is the correctly marked Overhoff & Cie. RZM 36/40 officer buckle. Surrounding it is an elaborate silver-aluminium SS brocade belt with black backing and adjustment tongue.
Even more significant is the extremely scarce 1937/38-pattern SS adjutant aiguillette. Its approximately 70 cm silver and black cord retains both 8 cm metal tips with oak-leaf decoration and raised SS runes.
Finally, the period circular storage box preserves the entire ensemble as one visually impressive grouping.
Without named recipient provenance, the set should not be attributed to a particular officer. Even so, its rarity, completeness and presentation make it an exceptional addition to an advanced SS collection or specialist museum display.
