Waffen-SS Rank Insignia

The Allgemeine-SS system of indicating rank by pips, bars and oakleaves was altered only slightly by the SS- Verfiigungstruppe (SS-VT) and later by the Waffen-SS, The right-hand collar insignia indicated unit, while the left indicated the rank of the wearer . The SS runes were eventually worn by all units of the Waffen-SS with the exception of the SS-Police Division, the SS-Totenkopf Division and non-German units. The Totenkopf (death's head) was worn by members of the SS-Totenkopf Division, its Ersatz units (replacements), the Inspectorate of the Concentration Camps and Totenkopf independent units (Insp. K. L. und TotenkopfSturmbanne).

The practice of the right-hand collar insignia indicating unit, while the left indicated rank was disregarded in three recorded instances. This occurred when the unit insignia appeared on the left as well as the right collar patch:

(a) Totenkopf ("Totenkopf" Division and other units) (b) Odalrune ("Prinz Eugen" Division) (c) SS runes (reason unknown at time of writing)

All Waffen-SS collar patches were black with the exception of early Italian units in the Waffen-SS. The Italian-SS initially wore red as the colour for their collar patches and other insignia. They were honoured with the colour black, however, when the Italian SS Legion became the 29th division of the Waffen-SS.

Early SS collar insignia for enlisted men and NCOs was initially piped in silver/black twisted cord but this piping was discontinued probably for reasons of economy. The collar patches of officers and some N COs, who were officer candidates, were trimmed in silver cord. SS Generals' collar insignia were also trimmed in silver cord.

In early 1942 the basic shape of the oak-leaves was altered. The leaves were now of a straighter style and the woven pips were in a slightly different position. The significance of the rank insignia was also effected as indicated in the following chart.

Rank To end of 1941 1942

SS-Oberfuhrer, 2 leaves

SS-Brigadefuhrer, 2 leaves, 1 pip

SS-Gruppenfuhrer, 3 leaves

SS-Obergruppenfuhrer, 3 leaves, 1 pip

SS-Oberstgruppenfuhrer, ---

Rank 1942-1945

SS-Oberfuhrer, 2 leaves

SS-Brigadefuhrer, 3 leaves

SS-Gruppenfuhrer, 3 leaves, 1 pip

SS-Obergruppenfuhrer, 3 leaves, 2 pips

SS-Oberstgruppenfuhrer, 2 leaves, 3 pips

Although the SS-VT and later the Waffen-SS retained the Allgemeine-SS collar rank insignia system, the tendency for closer association with members of the Wehrmacht's combat forces is evident in their shoulder straps. Originally, Waffen-SS shoulder straps were identical with those of the German Army and were worn on both shoulders. The only variation was that the straps of SS enlisted men and NCOs had a black underlay. Enlisted men's straps were piped in Waffenfarben and NCO's straps were trimmed with a 9mm wide aluminum (later cotton) border.

Straight silver cords were utilized for the ranks of Untersturmfuhrer to Hauptsturmfuhrer; entwined double silver cords for Sturmbannfiihrer to Oberfiihrer; and entwined gold/silver/gold cords for Brigadefuhrer to OberstgruppenfUhrer. Reichsfuhrer-SS Heinrich Himmler wore his special shoulder straps with 3 entwined silver cords on the black base with the addition of a silver 3-leaf insignia. The system was later altered for officers' ranks from Untersturmflihrer to Oberfuhrer by the addition of a black base under the Waffenfarben. The pips on shoulder straps were the same as those of the Army in colour (i. e. gold for SS-Obersturmfuhrer to SS-OberfUhrer and silver for SS-Gruppenfuhrer and above). They were later changed to silver for all ranks.

In 1940 the Waffen-SS adopted the circular rank insignia of the Army's Oberschutze. This insignia consisted of a star which was positioned on a black, circular backing and worn by the SS-Mann below his SS sleeve eagle. The title of SS-Mann was altered to SS-Staffelmann and in 1941changed to titles similar to those in the Army. . . . SS-Oberschutze, SS- Obergrenadier, SS-Oberkanonier, SS-Oberreiter, etc. The single chevron sleeve insignia of the Army Gefreiter was also adopted and worn by the SS-Sturmmann. The double chevron insignia of the Army Obergefreiter was adopted and worn by the SS-Rottenfuhrer rank. The Army's influence was also seen in the introduction of the silver lace around the NCO collar. The SS-StabsscharfUhrer (equivalent to Army's Hauptfeldwebel and Hauptwachtmeister), a senior NCO serving in the capacity of company Sergeant-Major, wore two 9mm wide silver strips above the sleeve cuff.

R.J. Bender and H.P. Taylor: "Uniforms, Organization and History of the Waffen-SS Vol. 1", 1969. R.James Bender Publishing

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