UBB.threads Forums Uniform & Accessories Helmet Forum An SOS "blackie" find

Here is the very first black SS helmet I have ever bought at a show. I was shocked...pleasantly, of course.

I was talking with Bob Coleman at his table when my roving bionic eye spotted a black dome sticking up out of a nearby box on the floor. On asking, I found out that this box belonged to Peter Jenkins. When Peter returned we made a deal on the fine example of a commercially-produced droop-bill SS helmet. It is a very early example and hence has not decal insignia. That might be a problem for others but for me, as a type collector, it was great...since I already have this style in a DD helmet.

It is nicely named and unit attributed..."Wirth, SS 5/79". SS-Standarte 79 was located in Ulm. It has an unusual chinstrap attachment feature. Leather D-rings are attached to the sides of the helmet with hollow core rivets...very cool.

Here are some pics...

Cheers,

Name and unit...

The leather D-rind attachments...

Very kool, indeed. Nice backpack as well. I cannot report having ever seen leather d-rings. Very interesting.

Congratulations on your two 'blackies'.

Cody

Arrrggghhh! Another SOS show I wasn't able to make it to. I hate being stuck in school....for now anyway.

How unusual. A completely undecaled prewar SS helmet. How do you suppose it made it through the whole war without getting decaled Darryl? Did someone take the helmet home in, like, 1935 and put it in the closet and forget about it? Just a stab at the possabilities there.

Stephan,

Yes, that is pretty much it as far as a possibility goes. The owner must have passed away pre-August 1935 and the helmet was then retained at his residence and never used again. The marvellous condition of the liner would corroborate this idea. The other remote possibility is that since the helmet is definitely an Allgemeine-SS item with the 5th Sturm/79 Standarte unit designation, it never did get decalled as the Allgemeine-SS rarely used black helmets. Perhaps from a SS historian's perspective Derek Chapman can give us his opinions on this?

Cheers,

That's a very true statement about Allg. SS not using helmets that much. My grandfather swore up and down and left and right that he never saw one being used. Only caps. Then I showed him the pic of Grimminger,(?) the Blood Order flag carrier and he had to relent.

Here's a period photo of the same style of helmet being worn...without decals. He appears to be a member of the Allgemeine-SS although it is difficult to say for certain since his right collar tab is obscured.

Cheers,

Hi Darryl

Glad you made it home safe.
As I mentioned at the show I am so happy for you.

You help a lot of people out here including me, so its about time you received a nice surprise.

Matt

Awsome find Darryl

I think maybe next year , I will have to make time go to this show. Which is better the MAX or the SOS?

Joe Semen

Matt,

Many thanks. Your sentiments are much appreciated. It was nice to join in with you guys on the sweet feeling of success this year. Most years I had to go home with a book and a photo or two.

Joe,

In my opinion, the SOS is by far the better of the two. However, who knows...perhaps with the new venue the MAX will again be a great show. Time will tell.

Cody,

The SS marked backpack (tornister) is a recent buy. The early SS-VT grey zeltbahn was another SOS 2006 purchase, courtesy of my friend, Robert Hassler. The zelt is a well used example but nicely marked with the SS/RZM cloth tag with the maker and date code for 1934. The slightly faded ink stamp identifies this to have belonged to 1/SS2, 3 Sturm...1st Sturmbann of SS-Standarte 2 (Germania), 3rd Sturm.

Cheers,

Congrats Darryl,nice helmet. Good to see that you did not come home empty handed..


Glenn

Darryl!
I am glad you had a nice show although regret I was not there for the fun. I constantly keep my eyes roaming for you with no luck, I have no idea how you find these �Blackies�! I look forward to the day I can hold and study one of these and turn it over to you.
You are truly one of the most knowledgeable and giving people I have the pleasure of calling a friend!
Best Wishes
Bob

I'm glad for you Darryl!
Mario

Another excellent find Darryl well done indeed

I just wish it wasn't so expensive to get over to the US then I'd be able to afford the trip to the show.

Cheers
Don

Congrats Darryl! Great find. A beautiful and rare helmet.

Regards,

Ed Wolf

Darryl congrats on the new piece, I'm glad you were able to add another to your prestigious collection. Well done!

Darryl,
From most of the material I have seen the use of helmets in the Allgemeine-SS seems to have been restricted to leaders and colour parties in ceremonial roles. The Reichswehrmodell (as the RZM referred to it) helmet and decals were offered through the RZM but there would have been little use for a helmet for the average part-time Allgemeine-SS member. The practical role of the Allgemeine-SS was, at the risk of over-generalising, to act as an auxilliary police force so a military helmet was not really required.
Being a purchased item there was no requirement to hand it back in, so the owner of this helmet could have just packed it away when he went on to military service in the Wehrmacht or perhaps some other branch of SS activity. A look at his service records would give a clearer picture.
Derek

hi Darryl,
WOW 2 black SS helmets at one show, good for you.
Tony

Congratulations Darryl for your keen eye on this from Peter.Now you will need a black Mantel or tunic to complement it

Thanks guys. I truly appreciate your comments.

Stephen, yes that is the helmet. It looks great on the SS outfitted bust form...very cool. Unfortunately I can no londer afford to get a black tunic or mantel. Someday perhaps.

Derek, thanks for your valued insight regarding these helmets. I have sent Rob McDivitt an email to see if there is any chance at researching this individual named Wirth and the individual in my other SOS helmet acquisition named Josef Schneider.

Cheers,

Darryl,
Is possible to show pictures of the other Black Helmet you pick up at the show?
Thanks
John

I was fortunate enough to hold it moments after he got it! It is cool!

John,

Yes I will post some images of the other one too. I just took some pics of it this afternoon and have to modify them to fit into the forum guidelines for size. I also have to put my watermark on them.

It should be soon.

Cheers,

Congrats to the rare and excellent find of black SS helmets,Darryl.
Looking forward to see more pictures.

Best regards,

Anders.

Darryl,here are i pic that you maybe like.
Can�t see if the helmets are black,but here is an early picture of SS soldiers with undecaled helmets.
Don�t know were or year but it have to be early,just look at the small eagles on the hats.

"roving bionic eye" I like that .It must be a good feeling going to the show and expecting nothing but coming back with 2 fantastic rarities .Rob.

Hi Rob,

Thanks. Yes, it is a great feeling indeed...makes it all worthwhile. So many times I have gone to shows and there were no black helmets to be found or had. This year there turned out to be three. Steve Wolfe had the other one (which has been discussed on this forum earlier) and it was way out of my league, price-wise. Nice helmet though.

Anders,

I believe that I have seen that picture before but thanks for showing it. The helmets are definitely commercially-produced examples however, I don't believe they are painted black in that photo. However, there are period photos of early SS-VT troops wearing their black helmets with the feldgrau uniforms. Others can probably say better than I but I believe the date of your photo to be 1935-ish.

Cheers,

Thank you for posting the photo Anders. It most likely shows SS-Politische Bereitschaft Wuerttemburg members who would later be amalgamated with other groups and known as "Deutschland". The picture was taken sometime in 1934 and probably shows the training area at Ellwangen. They have recently been issued these helmets at the time of your picture. Other pictures do seem to indicate that these are black or dark grey helmets.
Notice that they wear an interesting pattern of drill tunic that buttons partially down the front.
Derek

I took some much better photos of this helmet. Hope you enjoy...

2

3

I've got one too...

Beautiful image...thanks for posting it. That is the very same style of droop-bill helmet, complete with the horizontal striations visible in the shell. The chinstrap is different, that's all.

It's great to see a portrait of an Allgemeine-SS member wearing such a helmet. Very cool.

Cheers,

It was nice seeing you there, Darryl. Congrats on your new addition!

Shu