This black Schirmmütze (visor cap) for SS general officers, manufactured by the prestigious Berlin firm Mohr & Speyer A.G. at Friedrichstraße 172, circa 1938, represents one of the most significant and rarest categories of Third Reich headgear available to collectors. Designated for wear by ranks from SS-Brigadeführer (equivalent to Generalmajor, or one-star general) through SS-Obergruppenführer (equivalent to General, or three-star general), this cap embodies the highest quality craftsmanship of its era.
Origins of the SS and the Black Uniform
The Schutzstaffel (SS) traces its origins to May 1923, when it was formed as the Stoßtrupp Adolf Hitler. It was redesignated as the Schutzstaffel in April 1925. On January 6, 1929, Heinrich Himmler was appointed Reichsführer-SS, transforming the organization from a small personal bodyguard of 280 members into a formidable instrument of state power numbering 52,000 by 1932 and continuing to expand thereafter.
The iconic all-black SS uniform was introduced in 1932, designed by SS-Oberführer Karl Diebitsch and graphic designer Walter Heck, replacing the earlier brown uniforms. The distinctive peaked visor cap, or Schirmmütze, was an integral component of this new uniform and became one of the most recognizable elements of SS regalia. The black uniform served as the standard service and ceremonial dress for the entire SS until approximately 1938–39.
On July 20, 1934, following the Night of the Long Knives purge of the SA, the SS was granted status as an independent organization under direct NSDAP control. By 1937, the SS had been divided into three principal branches: the Allgemeine-SS (General SS), the SS-Verfügungstruppe (SS-VT, the armed/disposal troops), and the SS-Totenkopfverbände (SS-TV, concentration camp administration). The rank of Brigadeführer had been created in 1931–32 to command SS-Brigaden.
Physical Description and Rank Distinctions
The cap features a high, elegant saddle form (Sattelform) with an oval top and high forward central peak, characteristic of quality SS officer headgear. The crown is constructed from black cloth in fine officer quality, complemented by a black velvet band (Samtbund) that was standard for all SS officer ranks. The front of the cap bears silver-finished officer-quality national eagle (Hoheitsadler) and death’s head skull (Totenkopf) insignia.
The distinguishing feature marking this as a general officer’s cap is the silver piping running around the velvet band, a regulation distinction for SS general officer ranks (SS-Oberführer and above). The cap also features a silver cap cord (Mützenkordel) and a black visor made from Vulkanfiber. The interior is fitted with a light sweatband leather bearing the impressed manufacturer designation “Mohr & Speyer A.G.,” a light yellow silk lining with celluloid trapeze insert, in size 57.
Several variants of the SS visor cap existed based on rank: enlisted ranks and junior officers wore white piping, while SS-Oberführer and general ranks received silver piping. From 1938 onward, field-grey versions were introduced for the SS-Verfügungstruppe and later the Waffen-SS, while black caps continued for Allgemeine-SS ceremonial use.
The Manufacturer: Mohr & Speyer A.G.
Mohr & Speyer was one of the premier and most exclusive suppliers of uniforms, visor caps, and accessories in Berlin during the Imperial and Third Reich periods. Officers were required to purchase their own uniform items from authorized SS clothing offices (Kleiderkasse) in cities including Berlin, Munich, and other major centers. These establishments stocked top-quality tailor-made items from manufacturers including Mohr & Speyer for tunics, Robert Lubstein (EREL) for caps, and other authorized contractors.
1938: A Pivotal Year for the SS
The year 1938, when this cap was manufactured, marked a period of intensive expansion of SS organizations following the incorporation of Austria. In June 1938, earth-grey service uniforms were authorized for full-time Allgemeine-SS cadres, and the SS-VT adopted army-pattern shoulderboards. On August 17, 1938, Hitler decreed that SS military formations were to be placed at the disposal of the army in wartime. The period around 1938 was of particular significance as the SS-Verfügungstruppe was systematically built up and militarily organized. The SS-Verfügungstruppe was officially renamed Waffen-SS on July 19, 1940.
With the onset of World War II, field-grey uniforms were increasingly adopted, and the black uniform became increasingly seldom seen after 1939. It was eventually worn only by part-time Allgemeine-SS reservists. The last ceremonial event at which black uniforms were worn en masse was the Berlin victory parade following the fall of France in June 1940. Thereafter, black uniforms were primarily reserved for ceremonial occasions and part-time Allgemeine-SS personnel.
Post-War History and the Collector Market
After the end of World War II in 1945, many SS uniform items were destroyed or lost. Some black uniforms were recycled during the war for use by Eastern European collaborationist police forces and distributed to other Axis allies. In the post-war era, the collection and sale of SS memorabilia became subject to varying legal restrictions. In Germany and Austria, strict laws prohibit the sale of items displaying Nazi symbols except under specific educational conditions. France also maintains prohibitions on sale and public display. In the United States, fewer legal restrictions apply, though ethical concerns remain. Museums internationally maintain collections of SS artifacts for educational and historical documentation purposes. eBay banned most Nazi memorabilia in 2003. The market for original SS items is characterized by high values due to rarity—many items were destroyed in combat, particularly on the Eastern Front, or deliberately destroyed after the war—historical significance, and collector demand.
