Rare 1938 Allgemeine SS Officer Visor Cap

Product Description: For the serious collector seeking a truly exceptional piece that seems always missing from collections, this original Allgemeine SS Officer Visor Cap is a cornerstone in a collection. In outstanding condition, this visor cap retains all of its original components, making it one of the nicest examples available today. Crafted from high-quality black polished wool, this cap exhibits the elegance and precision of German officer headgear. The black velvet centerband, reserved for SS officers, is pristine, showing only the slightest evidence of age. The visor itself is properly marked RZM SS on the underside of the brim, a key indicator of authenticity.  Also in the underside center of the visor is the wear mark from using his thumb when taking the cap on and off, something that adds to the validity of the period piece. The RZM label beneath the sweatband, marked ‘SS Tuchmütze’ with maker code ‘4’, further confirms its genuine status. The sweatband is stamped HB38, verifying 1938 manufacture, a prime era of SS regalia production.

This visor cap proudly bears its original SS Totenkopf (skull) and eagle insignia, both exhibiting a matching, untouched patina that can only develop through time. The Totenkopf is likely a Deschler-made example, recognized for its distinctive details, while the eagle is marked RZM 1/72 for Fritz Zimmerman. One prong has a careful period repair, indicating use and history rather than postwar restoration. A rare bonus—the insignia has not been pushed through the silk liner, preserving the cap’s integrity.

The interior of the cap is lined in fine black silk, with a partially intact celluloid diamond, a sought-after feature in SS headgear. These delicate liners are often missing or heavily damaged, making this example particularly desirable. Beneath the sweatband, the original RZM label remains intact, a testament to this cap’s authenticity and rarity.

Allgemeine SS officer visor caps in this level of condition are extraordinarily scarce. Many surviving examples suffer from missing insignia, damaged interiors, mothing or postwar alterations—this cap, however, remains in remarkable original form. Whether you are a dedicated a serious WWII collector, or a museum curator, this stunning Allgemeine SS visor cap demands a place in your collection. Don’t miss this rare opportunity to own a genuine piece of history. Items of this caliber rarely surface on the market—act now before it’s gone.

Historical Description: The visor cap (Schirmmütze) was an important part of the headgear worn by German uniformed military, civil, paramilitary and political organizations during the Third Reich. This was the standard cloth headgear worn as a part of the service uniform. Visor caps were worn outdoors, as well as indoors, and were often required to be worn by all personnel on duty. Visor caps were made in versions specific to each organization and were often further differentiated through the use of insignia, colored piping, or style of chin cord, to indicate rank, role or branch. The insignia used on these caps ranged from simple stamped metal emblems, to elaborate hand embroidery. Visor caps were issued to enlisted soldiers and NCOs in the military and in some other organizations. Officers had to purchase their own hats, and lower ranks could choose to purchase caps that were of a higher quality than the rather basic, issue examples. The private purchase caps were generally made in very high quality, with fine materials. A wide variety of fabrics were used, from Trikot and doeskin, to heavy wool, or even lightweight white fabric for summer wear. In the military, issue of these caps was generally suspended shortly after the outbreak of the war, but they continued to be worn by some troops until the end of the war.

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