The Prussian shako of the Schutzpolizei (Protection Police) from the Third Reich era represents a significant artifact of German police history between 1933 and 1945. This specific headgear for enlisted men embodies the continuity of Prussian police traditions within the National Socialist system of rule.
The Schutzpolizei formed one of three pillars of the German Order Police (Ordnungspolizei), alongside the Gendarmerie and Criminal Police. After the Nazi seizure of power in 1933, the police were gradually centralized and subordinated to Heinrich Himmler, Reichsführer-SS, who from 1936 functioned as Chief of the German Police. This reorganization led to the standardization of police forces that had previously been under state sovereignty.
The black leather body of the shako followed a long tradition dating back to the 19th century. This cylindrical headgear had established itself in Prussia since the Napoleonic Wars as a characteristic element of uniforming. During the Weimar Republic and the Third Reich, the Prussian Schutzpolizei retained this distinctive headgear, demonstrating a conscious connection to historical structures of authority.
The central ornament consists of a domed sun with the Prussian eagle at its center. This Prussian eagle differed from the Reich eagle and symbolized the specifically Prussian police tradition, which was formally maintained even after the coordination of state police forces. The sun rays surrounding the eagle were a classic element of Prussian police insignia and gave the headgear its unmistakable appearance.
The cockade on the front bore the Reich colors and was marked on the reverse with the stamp “A. 1934 A & S”. The year 1934 marks an important phase in the transformation of the German police. Manufacturer stamps today allow for traceability of production channels and quality controls. The abbreviation “A & S” refers to one of numerous suppliers of police equipment from that period.
The leather lining inside the shako was essential for wearing comfort and was frequently lined with sweatband leather. The internal stamp “B.P. 1934” presumably stands for “Berliner Polizei” (Berlin Police) or a corresponding order code and also dates the piece to 1934, a key year of police reorganization under National Socialist rule.
The Schutzpolizei was primarily responsible for urban order maintenance, traffic regulation, and general security tasks. The enlisted men wore the shako with various service uniforms, with strict dress regulations ensuring uniform appearance. The headgear served not only practical purposes but also the representation of state authority in public spaces.
During World War II, parts of the Schutzpolizei were increasingly deployed for military tasks, particularly in occupied territories. Police battalions participated in war crimes and the persecution of the Jewish population. This dark role of the Order Police in the National Socialist apparatus of terror is comprehensively documented historically.
The material quality and workmanship of such shakos varied depending on the year of production. Examples from 1934 generally still exhibit high-quality materials and careful manufacturing, while later wartime productions increasingly suffered from material shortages. The black leather body was carefully embossed and fitted with metal fittings designed to be durable and presentable.
After 1945, such uniform items were confiscated or destroyed by the Allies. Surviving examples are found today in museum collections and among militaria collectors. They serve as material witnesses of a historical epoch and enable research into uniforming, police history, and symbolic representation of authority under National Socialism.
Academic engagement with such objects requires critical contextualization that considers both the craftsmanship and uniform studies dimension as well as the historical-political significance. The Prussian Schutzpolizei shako stands as an example of the instrumentalization of traditional symbols of authority by the Nazi regime.
