The uniforms and insignia of the Schutzstaffel served to distinguish its Nazi paramilitary ranks between 1925 and 1945 from the ranks of the Wehrmacht, the German state, and the Nazi Party.
SS–Brigadeführer Hans Lammers in black Allgemeine SS uniform, 1938
2nd pattern SS Totenkopf, 1934–45
The earliest SS rank system, used during the year 1929
German poster showing uniforms and insignia of SS (to the right) and the Sturmabteilung (SA, to the left), published in English by the Chicago Sunday Tribune in 1933. The caption reads: Putting masculine Germany into uniforms of types portrayed above is only one aspect of complete regimentation of the German people – a regimentation which includes reshaping of thought in the Nazi mold, suppression of rights, and control and censorship over newspapers.
Totenkopf
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Totenkopf is a German compound word for death's head. The word is often used to denote a particular design of a symbol common in Western culture, consisting of a human skull – usually frontal, more ra
Uniforms and insignia of the Schutzstaffel
…before the creation of the SS. There was a traditional reason, too: just as the Prussian kings' and emperors' life-guard cavalry (Leibhusaren) had worn black uniforms with skull-and-crossbones badges, so would the Führer's bodyguard unit. These SS uniforms were tailored to project authority and foster fear. During the war, the German clothing factory…
Reichsfuhrer SS, Heinrich Himmler with peaked visor cap with Totenkopf.
Hussar from Husaren-Regiment Nr. 5 (von Ruesch) in 1744 with the Totenkopf on the mirliton (Ger. Flügelmütze)
Totenkopf badge worn by the Brunswick Leibbataillon ("Life-Guard Battalion") at the Battle of Waterloo in 1815
August von Mackensen, German field marshal in his Life Hussar full dress, with the Totenkopf on his fur busby c. 1915