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

   SS-Verfügungstruppe (SS Special Detatchments) Insignia

Insignia Description

In 1934 the SS Special Detachment groups (SS-Verfügungstruppe or SS-VT) began wearing a combination of RZM, Austrian, and World War I M1917 and M1918 model helmets.  Overall, the number of helmets available to the SS-VT was very low.  Relegated mainly to surplus helmets, the SS-VT initially painted their steel helmets a satin black.  These helmets were identified by two hand painted or stenciled insignia.  On 12 August 1935 Heinrich Himmler introduced new insignia consisting of a double runic shield and a National Socialist Party decal.  As the need progressed, many helmets were repainted field-gray and updated with a new runic decal.  In some cases a National tricolored shield representing the German Armed Forces (Wehrmacht) was used.  Some early variations of the NS-Party decal were also manufactured with a more rounded bottom.  By 1936 the dual insignia of the SS had now been standardized through the use of mass produced decals.  In 1937a revised version of the runic shield was introduced in limited numbers.  This version often designated the "second model" runic shield, was not used on the older model SS-VT helmets.  Rather it tended to be used mainly on the new model M1935 combat helmets that were in limited supply.

Approximate Right Side   Left Side

Dates

Mobile Swastika1 Runic Emblem1

 

 

Beginning 1934 to mid-1935

 

    Runic Shield Tricolored Shield2

 

 

Beginning mid-1935 for a short time only

 

 

Runic Shield   NS-Party Decal
After August 1935 
Runic Shield  NS-Party Decal Variant3

 

Early variation circa 1935-1937

 

Notes:

1 Hand painted or stenciled only

2 The black/white/red colored shield of Germany

3 A decal with a more rounded bottom than the standard version as verified by original examples and period photographs

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 Special Detachment groups (SS-Verfügungstruppe) from 1934-1940.  Individual links related to this subject are outlined below.

    Primary Topics

SSVT Main

Helmet Types 1934-1935

Helmet Types 1936-1937

Helmet Insignia

Helmet Photos

Period Photos

    Related Topics
    Protection Units

Allgemeine-SS

SS-Heimwehr Danzig / Danzig Polizei

SS-Leibstandarte (LAH)

SS-Sicherheitspolizei (SD)

SS-Verfügungstruppe (SS-VT)

SS-Wachverbände

Waffen-SS

 

 

 

 

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