History

In 1933, members of the Allgemeine-SS were authorized to wear helmets during parades.

Initially, personnel were issued surplus M16 Austrian Helmets from the First World War. The helmets were originally field-grey in colour, but they were painted glossy black by the SS. The helmets were first widely used at the Reichsparteitage in 1933.

The helmets were refurbished to feature a leather liner and chinstrap.

As there were limited supplies of these surplus helmets, Officers were required to purchase commercially produced helmets.

In 1934, a number of helmets was produced in the style of the 1916 helmets, but with RZM production marks, and missing the rivet for the chinstrap.

In 1935, it was ordered that the helmets were to have SS decals painted on the side before the 1935 Reichsparteitag.