History

Reichsführer Heinrich Himmler initiated the development of SS camouflage gear in 1935 when he ordered the Reichsführung-SS to research and design new camouflage patterns for the SS-Verfügungstruppe.

In 1936/1937, the first camouflage items, including a camouflage helmet cover, were released to the SS-Standarte Deutschland for field testing.

Early camouflage items were produced using screen printing, but this method was replaced in 1940 with roller printing.

In 1940, one of the most popular patterns, the Plane Tree camouflage, was developed. This pattern was produced in six slightly different variations.

Other patterns include: “Palm”, “Blurred Edge”, “Oak Leaf”, and “Dot”. Variations can be found in each pattern, as many manufacturers who produced these items used different dyes.

Each pattern may be associated with a variation in price depending on the availability.

The covers were printed on both sides in different seasonal colour schemes, including spring/summer and autumn/winter.

First pattern helmet covers had rocker clips, but these proved tedious and were replaced with rivet attachments in 1937.

In 1942, foliage loops became a feature on the covers. Six strips of fabric in pairs of three were sewn onto the cover.

The caps were produced in three different sizes, “1” for small, “2” for medium, and “3” for large.