Lets see your finest Adolph Hitler photos!

[ROV]

[QUOTE=Hoss;4857520]Erich
The whole studio photo is interesting. He's wearing a working lederhosen the suspenders are under the shirt even the grubby hand on the hip is meant he's coming from land speaking for the people. The shirt is a chosen civvy garment nothing more as a group would do today. The pin and armband are the uniform.


I really think you nailed it here. AH was definitely thoughtful about 'image' and the power of symbolism. As you say, his connection to the common man speaks volumes in both his stance and clothing.

Here's what I could find from the Feb/Mar 1925 Hoffman studio photo session(s):

In addition to pics 9 (3/4 right side, long tie)

and 12 (forward view, right hand on hip,left hand in pocket, long tie)


we add:


https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/phot...eat=directlink


* This pic from same time period features a 3/4 view left side, both hands on hips, short black tie with no party membership badge. This is the only Lederhosen photo showing both the short tie and no party badge


https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/phot...eat=directlink


* forward view, right fist on hip, left hand on hip looks, thinner in the face here


https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/phot...eat=directlink


* forward full body view shows full outfit with long tie head to toe


https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/phot...eat=directlink


* Lederhosen shorts, full view, leaning on tree in snow covered scenery!


https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/phot...eat=directlink


* profile view looks like necktie matches the dark brown shirt


https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/phot...eat=directlink


* excellent portrait cu with the dark brown shirt


-These photographs also show that AH did not wear any form of uniform headdress nor would he (with one exception) until 1933


This outfit was odd indeed:


* The shirt, tie, membership pin, and armband became part of a uniform look that continued to be be worn by him and, as Erich mentioned, SS, SA, NSDAP, HJ etc. all the way til circa 1928.


* From the waist down, the clothing was civilian in nature and traditional Bavarian.




Other than its appeal to symbolism aspect, why was AH photographed wearing this uniform in a studio photography session?


-Several photographs said to been taken of AH in prison show him wearing Bavarian clothes.


-Perhaps this first 'lederhosen uniform' was transitional from his civilian clothes to the new, improved, uniformed NSDAP.


Lederhosen, was said to be a favorite of AH...that he enjoyed wearing these in his spare time, that he couldnt wait to get into them. Has anyone else heard this? If true, it might change our picture of AH relaxing in his quiet time!


As for the remaining colors:


-Lederhosen and matching civilian belt: grey

-Bavarian tall socks: white

-Bavarian 'tassel' shoes: black



We can assume:


* Since AH never wore the '1923 uniform' , Hoffman studio photographs show this to be the very first NSDAP era, AH uniform.

* Perhaps AH originally planned for a half NSDAP uniform/half civilian clothes, but later abandoned the idea in favor of a complete uniform look.

* This uniform was worn up until circa 1926? 1927?
(the very next uniform photgraph that I could find was from the next uniform change which was seen at Nurnberg Aug 19-21)


If anyone has any AH uniform photographs from 1925 up to Aug 19-21 Nurnberg, please post them here

thanks to members getting this ball rolling!

More to come!

[ROV]

The dark shirts can be seen worn by early party members/supporters, youth, early SA, early SS, etc. Some members of these groups wore light shirts--the uniforms were fairly primitive at that point and were slowly changing from WWI field grey surplus to a party standard. The seams on the upper arm area of the sleeves on shirts that I've had in the past were there to shorten the sleeves--apparently these shirts were like civilian shirts of the time, with sleeves of one length which could either be taken up to shorten them or if someone with a sewing machine was available, the cuff would be taken off, sleeve shortened, and cuff reattached...
Erich

Thanks Erich for the enlightening information regarding these shirts,
the sleevecuts, the collarbone buttons use and even learning they were mother-of-pearl construction.

Only a handful of questions remain, I'm hoping that members will have the answers or will at least contribute their valued opinions/speculation regarding them.


After these, we will go on to AH uniform two!



* What was the color and material of the dark brown shirt? Was it made of cotton twill? denim? Was it the same dark brown color as seen in this painting?


https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/phot...eat=directlink


(this painting adds the EK award, not present in the original photo)


* Are there any online links or reference material which describes the shirt or photographs of it in someone's collection? Is it as rare as it seems?


* Was there indeed a ban of the 'button-down' shirts which led to the 'standard' SA tradition shirt? Was that uniform change start date circa 1928?


* Did this shirt have an official uniform designation such as ' SA diensthemd ' or 'M1925' or any term similar?


* If anyone has any photos from the 1925-27 period, please post them here.

Post also any of the links to photos in this thread for illustration

[sgstandard]

Shirt

My early SA Franken brownshirt has 3 similarities. 1. It's a pull-over shirt. 2. The 3 small original buttons down the front are made are made of (real) white shell. 3. The 2 SA breast pocket buttons are sewn directly to the shirt.

[ROV]

...more to come!

[ROV]

AH lack of uniform headgear

Anyone familiar with AH photos knows that prior to 1933, AH was never seen nor photographed wearing any form of headgear while in uniform.

Why was this?

Its widely known that he was later photographed wearing an SA kepi, (circa 1928) and reportedly disliked the image so much that he never wore that cap again nor anything headwise until his uniform change of 1933.

Would everyone agree that the reason he did this was to make himself distinctive to his public, totally distinguished from all other uniformed troops?

When in civilian clothes he would wear a brown fedora, or rarely, an aviators helmet, but nothing while in uniform.


As always, your helpful input to the discussion is welcome


More to come!

[ROV]

AH dark-bordered armband

During the early 1925 Hoffmann photo session, AH wore an armband which featured an over-sized disk which overlapped its upper and lower, dark red, striped borders. Later that year the newborn SS would develop its distinctive armband which featured similar borders, although black-striped.


https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/phot...eat=directlink



Does anyone have an explanation as to why this occurred?

Anyone know why the SS chose the black-bordered design or for that matter why AH wore a similar one a few months prior?

Hopefully we can get an SS armband expert, or an NSDAP armband expert to clarify the matter for us.

Until then, I offer the following speculation:

What if the dark-bordered armband (dark red borders not black) which AH wore in early 1925, inspired the SS to pattern their distinctive armband patterned after what AH wore with his first Lederhosen proto-uniform.

Perhaps several designs of the 1925 reborn NSDAP armband included the dark red bordered armband. That armband design AH preferred and chose to wear for his rare photo session in early 1925.

Following this line of thought, someone from the SS then decided they liked the fuhrers armband in that, they modified it's design for their use, making the borders even darker and more distinct. The fuhrer's armband would've been the original inspiration for the SS armband.

That would mean, that after the SS did that, AH would later decide to revert to the 'standard' SA/NSDAP armband design that he would wear all the way up til Aug 31 1939.

What do the members think of this theory? If there is no official story, does this one make sense to you?

Perhaps you would like to weigh in with an alternate theory as to why this occurred


As always any members posting photos clarifying the discussion here are appreciated


More to come!

[Br. James]

Hi Rov,

Regarding your note #20, I seem to recall seeing a portrait photo of AH -- face and shoulders, looking directly into the camera's lens -- wearing an early PL coffee can cap, the difference between that and the SA kepi being the chin strap -- but I don't remember that photo as being post-1933. I suppose it could have been...does anyone else remember the photo I'm thinking of?

It seems that from the early 1920s Hitler was aware of his unique hairstyle and, even though many photos record him with slicked-back hair, the forelock fell easily down the left side of his forehead. This must have been on purpose; early cartoons also depicted him in less-than-flattering ways, always pointing out his mustache and his drooping forelock. So I would agree that he cultivated the bare-headed image of a leader who was always ready to get to work on any project and who wouldn't let inclement weather conditions get in his way. Rudolf Hess also cultivated this image, often being photographed hatless; this we now know was probably because of his macho self-image of a man of physical fitness who regularly exercised...which was not to be confused with Hitler's image, though Hitler's love of the outdoors (at least whenever there was a camera around) was also well-documented.

A very interesting thread; keep up the good work!

Br. James

[Erich B.]

I don't remember where I read it, so take it with a grain of salt: Hitler never liked wearing a hat because of the 'hat hair' effect when he took it off. I would assume he got over it, as he certainly wore his PL visor cap on a regular basis through the later 30s.
I've seen a couple of snapshots taken of him from a distance while wearing a kepi, and it didn't do anything for him. I think the theory that he realized he would blend into the crowd of kepis has a lot of merit.
Erich

[Hoss]

......When in civilian clothes he would wear a brown fedora....

Here's a pic circa '28. They basically wore Schutztruppe surplus shirts from WW1 and pics of Adolf wearing his valour fedora.

Eric

[Hoss]

.

[Hoss]

.

[ROV]

Fedoras and parteitag

Thanks for that marvelous set of fedora photos. If I remember right, Hitler loved his fedora as much as Eva Braun hated him wearing it!

Also shows him wearing a few of his civilian(?) trenchcoats/raincoats. Interesting also is # 26 showing the Fuhrer eating. Can't recall seeing too many photos showing him eating nor drinking.

Perhaps someone knows the time period better, but isnt # 24 taken at parteitag 1929 Nurnberg on the Hauptmarkt, in front of the Frauenkirche?

In that photo I recognize of course, AH and Goring, but not the SS man to AH right nor any of the other men prominent in the photo. Perhaps someone could identify them.

I've always loved the power conveyed in this photo, thanks very much for posting it, Eric!

[zitadelle1]

[QUOTE=ROV;4857201]More about the dark brown shirt:

Here's a closeup of the shirt upper sleeve 'cut' it looks like a short-sleeved shirt worn over another shirt. you can see the slight color distinction between the inner shirt and the armband

https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/phot...eat=directlink















All the photos of AH wearing this shirt show it to be a very baggy fit. As suggested, its very possible that he was wearing some manner of soft body armor or bullet-proof vest beneath it. I believe the shirt was made of denim material which would also account for bagginess.


Photos of AH wearing this shirt which show both the bagginess and short sleeve aspect of it, continue thru Nurnberg parteitag Aug 19-21 1927.

It seems in this interim period (1925-1927) that the 3 groups wore this brown shirt, lederhosen or breeches with tall socks, and lace-up ankle boots with some form of hitlermutze. They wore this or a form of the 1923 'uniform' (when they were prohibited to wear ANY
NSDAP uniform publicly)











Whilst i commend your eye for detail, i think you are all taking it a bit too far snd reading into it far too much.
The SA wore surplus shirts at the start, then came specially manufactured brown shirts that resembled the earlier version. It is on record by some of his private staff that AH preferred loose futting clothes.
AH never wore any form of so called bullet proof attire. He had total faith in his people.
This also goes for the laughable steel lined visor cap nonsense.
It is true that amongst others, Hugo Boss gmbh were given a contract for the continuing production of the brown shirt up until the beginning of the war.

[ROV]

AH Parteifuhrer 1 report

We've completed our discussion on AH uniform 1.

Here's the final report of our findings:

PARTEIFUHRER 1:
Party Leader Uniform 1

HEADGEAR:
No form of service cap was worn. Bareheaded to remain separate and distinct from uniformed troops

SERVICE SHIRT DARK BROWN (diensthemd dunkelbraun) :
-SA/NSDAP/SS style shirt. Warm, dark brown in color. Single-breasted with buttoned-down collar and collar to shoulder buttons. Pair of pleated, buttoned, breast pockets with triangulate flaps. Adjustable sleeve hem with buttoned french cuffs. Buttons made from mother-of-pearl

*shirt material unknown


NECKTIE:
-Worn at first full-length, then changed to mid-length. Black in color

*tie material unknown


ARMBAND (kampfbinde):
-Armband, standard NSDAP. Red with dark red border on top and bottom (similar to SS) Black, rotated swastika on white disk. The disk overlaps the dark borders.

*armband material unknown


LEDERHOSE:
-Bavarian trachten working man's lederhose, dyed leather, light grey in color


BELT:
-Civilian belt, leather, matching color of lederhose


BUCKLE:
-Civilian buckle, single claw, metal frame belt buckle


LEGWEAR (haferlsocks) :
-Bavarian trachten, ribbed knee socks, white cotton or wool


FOOTWEAR (haferlschuhe):
-Bavarian style black leather shoes,


AWARDS and INSIGNIA:

Only insignia worn were:
-NSDAP bordered armband
-Circular NSDAP membership badge was worn mid-length on the full-length tie. Badge Aligned with center breast pocket
-When tie was worn mid-length, it carried no membership badge.
-WW l awards were not worn at this time


Notes:

-Uniform worn:
1925 Feb circa through 1927 August circa

-This uniform is believed to have been Hitler's very first NSDAP uniform.
It was a combination of an early NSDAP shirt which was worn with traditional Bavarian clothes.

-This composite uniform perhaps portraying AH to be both the esteemed leader of the party as well as an everyday working class man.

-It is believed that the dark brown shirt AH wore came from the original batch of WW I surplus tropical clothing purchased in late 1924 to outfit the reborn NSDAP.

It is possible these dark shirts were originally designed for tropical officer's dress before they were purchased by the NSDAP.

-Shirts such as these were also worn by early party members/supporters, youth, early SA, early SS, etc.

-The shirts featured an unusual upper sleeve cuff. The seams on the upper arm area were there to shorten the sleeves. Sleeves of one length could either be taken up to shorten them or if a sewing machine was available, the cuff would be taken off, sleeve shortened, and cuff reattached.

-The buttons on the collarbone areas were used when the shirt was worn without a tie, for example while on a pack march. The collar tips would be buttoned to these buttons in order to keep the collar from looking unkempt and to keep the neck area as open as possible.


Comments:

“Adolf Hitler. He wears an S.A. uniform without any signs of rank to display his close relationship with the simple S.A. man" Wilhelm Köhler, Die Nationale Revolution in Deutschland.

It was said that AH in the 1920's wore a black uniform emulating Mussolini whom he admired. ...unknown if this was true.


thanks to all who contributed to this uniform report

Any corrections/modifications are appreciated. Authenticity and accuracy remain the goal


AH uniform 2 coming soon!

[ROV]

AH parteifuhrer uniform 2

1925:
After wearing the M1925 Lederhosen uniform, AH developed a new uniform closer to that worn by members of the various NSDAP factions.

1926:
Most photos of AH during this time show him to be wearing his civilian clothes, perhaps due to a ban on wearing uniforms in public.This includes the parteitag held at Weimar from July 3-5th

1927:
August 19-21: For the occasion of parteitag in Nurnberg, we believe that AH donned his first full NSDAP uniform.



Here is a good photo showing the belt buckle which appears to be round:


https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/phot...eat=directlink


Here is a full head to toe view of AH taken at parteitag 1927 which also includes attendees Hess and Streicher:


https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/phot...eat=directlink



Adolf Hitler
Oberste SA-Führer
AH parteifuhrer uniform 2 M1927


HEADGEAR:
As with the M1925 uniform, this new uniform was worn with no service cap

SHIRT:
the same dark brown NSDAP shirt from his previous uniform was worn

NECKTIE:
His necktie appears to be of a dark color matching his shirt and worn full-length

ARMBAND:
Armband worn is standard NSDAP (It is unknown if this one still carried the dark border stripes from his previous armband, likely not)

WAISTBELT:
Standard brown leather NSDAP service belt

BELT BUCKLE:
This belt buckle appears to be circular in photos.

{{ MEMBER ALERT }} NSDAP/SA belt buckle experts can weigh in here and inform if there was ANY form of the NSDAP/SA buckle cast in circular form 1926-1927

If this was a rectangular buckle it was likely two-piece brass type 1 featuring an SA eagle clutching a wreathed sunwheel style swastika. This is conjecture, perhaps someone knows definitively

CROSS-STRAP:
Standard SA style cross-strap. Brown leather with nickle fittings. Worn over right shoulder

LEGWEAR:
consisted of breeches made of material darker than the shirt color.

{{ MEMBER ALERT }} Members with SA uniform collections can tell us more about these early breeches. Were they made of a ribbed twill fabric? Please post photos of breeches from your various collections that you believe might have been worn by the Fuhrer during 1926-1933

Worn over these breeches were a pair of Bavarian? knee socks. The socks are light in color and feature a band at the top.

Its possible these socks were a light brown and their band was brown

Footwear:
This footwear is a mystery. These appear to be a form of minimal-laced black ankle boots.

Is it even possible that he's wearing his famous black officer's boots with a Bavarian-style knee sock pullover, pulled over the boots tops?


{{ MEMBER ALERT }} Members with early NSDAP/SA uniforms whose shoes/boots that are similar to AH mystery footwear, please post your photos along with your valued conjecture here.



AWARDS AND INSIGNIA:

NSDAP membership pin:
worn on tie which aligned with the pocket flap buttons on shirt's breast pockets

Imperial Army service awards (WW l):

(worn on shirt's left breast pocket):

Iron Cross lst class

Wound Badge in black


1927 parteitag eagle pin and ribbon

This consisted of an SA style Eagle pin on a B-W-R rosette ribbon

(Pin with ribbon was worn above left pocket. This badge was likely only worn during parteitag 1927)


OBSERVATIONS:

The M1927 uniform was being worn (or similar versions of it) by other NSDAP/SA etc. members attending Nurnberg parteitag.


* As always, your observations, conjectures and photos from your collections are welcome here.

* Please feel free to post better res versions of photo links and to correct any
inaccuracies along our discovery journey