The Early SS Uniform

The Schutzstaffel was first organized in the early 1930's by Heinrich Himmler as Adolf Hitler's own bodyguard (Leibstandarte SS). After the SA (STURM ABTEILUNG) Blood Purge, the power of the SA was broken; and the rise of the SS began.

The early regular uniform of the SS consisted of:

A Black Coffee Can type hat, with the SS eagle insignia with the SS deaths head under it.

The early SS uniform Shirt was constructed of a rough dark gray wool or cotton cloth material. A single shoulder board was worn on the right shoulder. No Sleeve or Cuff Insignia was worn. But the regular SS Collar Tabs were worn. The buttons were pebble grained with RZM Marks.

The early SS Trousers were made of a rough dark black wool and were of the riding breech type. A black leather garrison belt with an over the shoulder strap was worn with the uniform. A black regulation tie was worn with the uniform shirt, Usually a N.S.D.A.P. Party stick pin was worn on the tie. Regulation Black riding Boots were worn with the uniform and a Regulation Nazi Party broad red arm band with a black swastika in a white circle, was worn on the upper left arm.

An SS dagger was also worn with the early Schutzstaffel Uniform. The SS dagger was worn by enlisted men and officers. The design was identical to the SA dagger with the exception of a black wood grip with SS Insignia in place of the SA emblem. The blade was etched with the SS motto (Meine Ehre Heist Treue) Translation "My Honor is My Loyalty". The enlisted man's dagger had a black leather Verttical hanger and the officer's model dagger had a double chain hanger with alternate skull and SS symbols on the hanger.

VINCE KUCINSKAS: EARLY SCHUTZSTAFFEL UNIFORM, "Der Haken Kreuz",C. 1968