Germany, SS. A Second Pattern (1934-1945) Visor Skull by Overhoff & Cie, Lüdenscheid

This is a fine second pattern (193401945) Waffen-SS (Schutzstaffel) visor cap skull; crisp details; in zink; over 95% of silvering on the obverse still intact; both prongs intact; maker marked “RZM M1/24” (Overhoff & Cie, Lüdenscheid) on reverse; measuring 29 mm x 30 mm; in extremely fine condition.

Footnote: Julius Schreck, member of the NSDAP and leader of the Staabswache (Adolf Hitler’s bodyguard unit) resurrected the Totenkopf from when it was used interwar period by the Freikorps. The Staabswache eventually grew into the SS, who continued the use of the Totenkopf until the end of the Second War. Heinrich Himmler, chief of the SS said that “the skull is a reminder that you shall always be willing to put yourself at the stake for the life of the whole community”.