Strange early years SS headgear

[Arto O]

Hi,
The headgear worn by this Allgemeine-SS member (sitting in the middle) looks strange to me. Ok, he is not wearing a black tie, but IMO I see a "totenkopf" insignia in his headgear, but shouldn´t this be a kepi shape, which this one doesn´t look like. Any opinions.
Thanks
Arto

tumblr_lnrn1cWfI21qdfjs1o1_1280.jpg

Source; Histomil.com

[Ian Hulley]

In Summer '32 when this photo dates from I'd have thought you would see a wide array of assorted 'almost regulation' clothing. It looks like some kind of bergmütze but could also be a kepi without the cap spring ... that's pure speculation of course.

Ian

[Arto O]

Thanks Ian,
Quite surely some local "inspiration" for lack of regular ones. Nothing to do with the previous post, but are these SS men in 1925? I cannot disagree with the author (very surely he knows better) but still it cause me curriosity.
With best regards
Arto

ALL1.jpg

Source: Robin Lumsden & Paul Hannon: The Allgemeine-SS
Thanks for your excelent works.

[Ian Hulley]

Robin's a good man and I'm sure he would be the first to admitt he's less than perfect, time and knowledge move on. Many of the early reference books are now hopelessly out of date, his for the most part aren't.

The similarity between the eagles worn on that photo and those on the NSKK crash helmet would make me wonder if these weren't either SS men with NSKK eagles or NSKK men with SS caps.

Ian

[Arto O]

Thanks again Ian,
Arto

[von thoma]

I think are NSDAP troops,with the early eagle design.

[Ian Hulley]

I think are NSDAP troops,with the early eagle design.

The eagle design is this ... http://www.germanmilitaria.com/Political/photos/N050865.html as I said an NSKK crash helmet eagle.

NSDAP troops were the SA, that's what they were created for. The caps are similar to pre-war SS caps.