In 1933 SS guard units (SS-Wachverbände) were formed to oversee the task of guarding political prisoners in labor and concentration camps.  Helmets issued to these men were of the World War I model M1916, M1917, M1918, and Austrian patterns.  These helmets were typically painted black and carried no insignia.  In March 1935 helmets were modified by the addition of a large Prussian style Death's Head (Totenkopf) insignia placed on the left side of the helmet.  The insignia is thought to have been produced with paint using a stencil, although little information exists to verify if this is true.  The Totenkopf insignia was replaced on 12 August 1935, just six months after having been approved, in favor of the universally mandated runic symbol and National Socialist Party decal.

Approximate	Right Side	Left Side
Dates		Death's Head1
Beginning March 1935 for a short time only	No Insignia
	Runic Shield	NS-Party Decal
After 12 August 1935
Notes:
1 Hand painted or stenciled only

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