Deschler SS Skull M1/52 – Type 2 – CupAL

Product Description: This extremely desirable Deschler SS Skull is a really appealing piece, with a great look. This is the type of Deschler SS visor cap skull known to collectors as a Type 2, with round base plates for attaching the Type 1 pins. This is likely an early piece, made from CupAl (mechanically bonded layers of copper and aluminum). The front of this skull shows light patina and attractive age toning to the silvering, with just a bit of surface wear that does not affect any of the details. It appears never to have been cleaned. The reverse of this Totenkopf emblem features embossed marings, with the round RZM emblem and the maker code of M1/52 indicating manufacture by the prestigious firm of Deschler in Munich. The flat pins are made of brass, and are intact, with no issues. This Deschler SS skull is typical in all aspects, with a weight of 2.4 g. It measures about 29mm high and 30mm wide. These CupAl skulls are very sought-after. This one is in excellent plus condition.

Historical Description: The SS was founded as a paramilitary branch of the Nazi Party in 1925. Beginning in 1927, the SS began to wear a German national eagle and swastika emblem on their headgear. The SS were the first to adopt this practice, but the SA and other Nazi organizations soon began to use the same pinned-on metal cap eagle, which became known as a “political” type cap eagle as it was different from those used by the various military branches. Beneath this eagle, instead of a wreathed national colors cockade, the early SS wore a jawless skull emblem, sometimes called a “Danziger” skull, which was based on a traditional “Totenkopf” death’s-head emblem that had been used in the Prussian military since the time of Frederick the Great. This jawless skull is referred to by collectors as the first pattern SS skull. On October 6, 1934, the SS introduced a new pattern of cap skull that was unlike the traditional design that had previously been adopted. This second pattern SS skull was used until the end of WWII and is the iconic Totenkopf widely associated with the SS today. It was initially worn in conjunction with the political style cap eagle, but in February 1936 the SS introduced a new type of cap eagle to differentiate from other political organizations. This eagle had longer wings than the early political type, and was the pattern worn by the SS together with the second pattern Totenkopf, until 1945. Early SS cap insignia was made from a variety of materials including aluminum, which was left bare, and Tombak, a brass alloy, which was treated with a silver finish. Some examples were made of a composite material called CupAl, which is made by coating aluminum with copper sheet using a special mechanical process. Later, during the later years of WWII, SS cap insignia was generally made of zinc that was treated with a silver wash. As with all SS regalia, SS cap insignia is very collectible today.

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