History

The “Kepi” was the first black service cap worn exclusively by members of the SS.

From 1925 until 1926, early versions of the Kepi were manufactured out of wool and were worn without a chin strap. These non-rigid caps could easily be flattened and concealed in situations when SS men needed to hide their political affiliation, in order to avoid conflict with other political groups.

The cap was similar in design to the Hitlermütze that was worn by SA personnel, but its black colour prevented SS personnel from being confused with members of the SA.

The early Kepi was worn with a cockade and a jawless death’s head, but in 1929, the cockade was replaced with the first pattern cap eagle emblem.

In the early 1930s, the Kepi had been standardised and it was manufactured with a more rigid construction. The caps produced in this period feature a chin strap, a small black button between the eagle and death’s head insignia, and an orange interior top panel.

Senior SS leaders wore a Kepi that featured silver cord piping along the crown.

In 1932, the Kepi was replaced with the black service visor cap, although, it continued to be worn until it was completely phased out in the late 1930s.

It is also known as the old pattern black service cap.