SS Visor Cap Eagle

Form II, 1936-1945

In early 1936 Hitler inspected and approved a new form of national emblem, especially designed for the SS. This eagle was sanctioned by a letter dated March 23, 1936 from the Chief of the SS-Hauptamt. This form remained in use until the end of the war and became the standard pattern replacing the earlier eagle insignia.

The first new SS national emblems were available beginning in April 1936 and were manufactured in silvered Cupal, a synthetic alloy (consult volume 3, page 36 for Cupal detail). An unauthorized neusilber version was manufactured by some manufacturers as a result of a misunderstanding of the regulations. One must note that the neusilber metal was no longer allowed for use in manufacturing from the summer of 1935.

Simultaneously with the Cupal version, the matte-grey aluminum eagle form appeared. The Cupal (or Coupal) version of the eagle officially was tobe worn by enlisted ranks as well as leaders with the Schwarze SS-Dienstmutze (black visored cap) the matte aluminum version was to be worn with the erdgraue und erdbraune SS-Dienstmutze (field-grey and earth-brown visored cap).

Two months later, in June 1936, the bright aluminum version was first mentioned in the Mbl.d.RZM and was to replace the earlier matte version. This light weight national emblem was for the most part worn by all personnel when they obtained the new insignia for any reason. The reverse was stamped with the RZM control number which was occasionally positioned At the edge of the wing.

Embroidered versions were not officially permitted for wear with the SS visored caps of the General-SS, but other forms were observed being worn, predominately being the 1936 political or army forms.

Higher SS-leaders often purchased better quality insignia even though this form was not strictly regulated. In fact, the Cupal version was an item of excellent quality.

The basic design of the new SS emblem consisted of an eagle with outstretched wings, staggered at the tips. The head of the eagle, faced to its left.The eagle clutches an oakleaf wreath enclosing a mobile or slanted embossed swastika. The wingspan is approximately 7.0cm and the height approximately 3.2cm. Its design remained unchanged through the years until the end of the war.

Many eagles manufactured during the war were of pot or zinc metals and of a slightly smaller size, measuring 6.7cm.

During the early war years, the SS national eagle emblem was also available in silver-painted aluminum, grey-painted cheaper light weight materials or of better quality silvered Cupal.

Wilhelm P.B.R. Saria, "Headgear of Hitler's Germany Vol.4", R.J. Bender Publishing, 2005

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