History

In late 1939, the SS-Verfügungstruppe evolved into the Waffen-SS. Following this transition, the SS-V.T. Division (mot) was renamed SS-Division “Deutschland”. In 1942, the name was changed to the 2. SS-Panzer-Grenadier-Regiment “Das Reich” to prevent it from being confused with the existing “Deutschland” regiment.

The infantry division of the unit was composed of the 1. SS-Standarte “Deutschland”, the 2. SS-Standarte “Germania”, and the 3. SS-Standarte “Der Führer”.

The 1. SS-Standarte “Deutschland” was renamed the 3. SS-Panzer-Grenadier-Regiment “Deutschland”. The personnel of this regiment wore an "SS1" collar patch.

The collar tabs for the ranks of SS-Mann up to and including SS-Obersturmbannführer were produced out of black cloth, while the collar tabs for the ranks of SS-Standartenführer and above were produced out of black velvet. From 1934 until 1940, Non-Commissioned Officers and Enlisted Men were issued collar tabs that were piped with twisted black and aluminium piping. Officer ranks wore collar tabs that featured twisted aluminium cord piping.

The collar tabs that were produced for wear on the standard black SS uniform were hand-embroidered with aluminium wire, while the insignia that was worn on the field-grey uniform was machine-embroidered with silver-grey thread.

In May of 1940, the “SS1” collar tab was discontinued and replaced with the standard Waffen-SS collar tab that featured double SS runes. At the same time, the black and aluminium piping was removed from NCO/EM collar tabs.