History

From its inception, the Waffen-SS used the visor cap as part of its standard uniform. This “old style” cap was similar to the one worn in the Wehrmacht and featured a rounded top panel shape (Tellerform).

In 1936, the saddle-shaped (Sattelform) version of the Waffen-SS Visor Cap was introduced. The colour of the cap was predicated by the colour of the wearer’s service uniform, although there were instances of individuals wearing a mismatched cap and uniform.

Waffen-SS visors caps are essentially the same as Army caps; they both feature a similar internal and external structure.

The visor caps of the Waffen-SS are field-grey, while the visor caps of the Allgemeine-SS are black.

The visor on the Officer cap was composed of Vulkanfiber, which was lacquered on the top. Enlisted ranks were not authorized to wear this style until later in the war, when the black dress uniform was discontinued. The internal side of the visor generally features a finely cross-hatched pattern that was moulded or scored onto the underside of the visor. Authentic visors are shiny and never appear completely matte, regardless of how well-worn the item is.

Waffen-SS Officer visor caps featured black velvet cap bands and the band of other Waffen-SS ranks featured cap bands composed of black felt.

The caps of Officers and enlisted ranks were distinguishable due to the fact that the Officer cap featured a double-corded aluminum chinstrap, while Non-Commissioned Officers wore leather buckles that feature a distinctive centre buckle. Some Officer candidates were authorized to wear the aluminum cord.

Regulation caps were strictly composed of Tricot wool. Caps that are composed of different styles of wool were privately manufactured and the internal cloth colour will reflect the buyer’s personal preference.

The visor reverse colours are generally reddish brown, tan, or crème. Other colours are less frequently seen.

The most common lining colours of the visor cap are reddish brown, gold, pale gold, pale greenish-blue, grey, and light brown.

Waffen-SS Caps do not feature “SS RZM” marks on the visor reverse. They also do not feature a gold SS rune mark on the cap lining.

All ranks of Officers were responsible for purchasing the necessary uniform and accoutrements. As such, the quality and type of materials used varies greatly between examples of the same object.

The Old Style Visor Cap of the Waffen-SS was introduced for wear by NCOs in 1938. It was modeled after the Army Officer's old style visor cap. It became popular among Waffen-SS Officers as well, even though an Officer wearing this cap was contrary to regulations.

The cap is made of field-grey material. Initially, the visor was of the same colour and material as the rest of the cap, but eventually it was changed to a black soft leather visor. The cap has no wire stiffener in the crown seam, accounting for the very fashionable "crushed" look.

Even though the cap did not come with a chinstrap (or cap cords), some NCOs and Officers attached those to their caps.

The cap band is black and edged by white piping. Branch colour piping has also been observed on occasion. A Waffen-SS style eagle emblem was worn on the top of the cap, and underneath it, on the cap band, a Totenkopf (death's head) insignia. Both of these were supposed to be made of metal, yet machine-woven cloth insignia were sometimes used as well.