German-Helmets.com

German-Helmets.com - The Online Reference Guide to World War II German Helmets 1933-1945

Schutzstaffeln: SS-Heimwehr Danzig Insignia

Insignia Description

Helmets worn by members of the Danzig Police and SS-Heimwehr Danzig utilized insignia which consisted of the Danzig City Shield on the left side and either a skull or 1st pattern SS runic shield on the right. The difference between the two lies in the fact that helmets bearing the traditional "death's head" insignia are those used by the Danzig Police. Those bearing the SS runic shield are generally M1935 helmets issued to members of the SS-Heimwehr Danzig that grew out of the former Danzig Police unit. With either variation, it is possible that some insignia may have been applied in reverse order from that known. However the few surviving photographs of these helmets in use indicate otherwise.

It is generally known that the Danzig City Shield was manufactured as a decal transfer. The insignia consisted of a red shield surrounded by a white border in which two white crosses were situated. Above the crosses was a stylized crown printed in yellow-gold color. Much debate has been given to whether or not the skull insignia worn by Danzig Police was manufactured as a large decal, or was in fact painted on by hand or stencil. Of the very few surviving examples that are considered original, it appears that the skull insignia was painted onto the helmet using a very precise stencil. In all cases the skull appears in white paint¹.

Notes:

¹ Collectors should take note that Danzig insignia have been expertly reproduced over the years. Almost all the helmets sold today bearing these insignia are in fact high quality forgeries. The number of original helmets that survived World War II, coupled with less than nine months of actual use, excludes the possibility that tens if not hundreds of these helmets exist.

Dates

Left Side

Right Side

Circa 1938

Introduced 1939

Overview

Each section of German-Helmets.com is divided into separate Information Tracks that outline important details, facts, and historical notes pertaining to steel helmets used by the German Armed Forces during World War II.

Information Tracks are organized by subject matter and their content is directly related to the service arm or organization to which each topic is related. Topic areas that bridge one subject matter to another are cross linked within each Information Track.

This Information Track provides historical facts pertaining to steel helmets worn by the SS-Heimwehr Danzig from 1938-1939. Individual links related to this subject are outlined below.

Primary Topics

Protection Units

SS-Heimwehr Danzig / Danzig Polizei

SS-Leibstandarte (LAH)

SS-Sicherheitspolizei (SD)

SS-Verfügungstruppe (SS-VT)

SS-Wachverbände

Waffen-SS

German-Helmets.com - The Online Reference Guide to World War II German Helmets 1933-1945