1st pattern SS Totenkopf cap badge.

[Adrian Stevenson]

Hi Guys, here is a cap badge that I bought nearly 25 years ago. Most of the silver finish has been polished off, but not by me .
There are no markings at all on the badge. There does not seem to be much reference material on these cap badges compaired to the 2nd pattern skull. Any thoughts?
Cheers, Ade.

[Adrian Stevenson]

Reverse of the cap badge.

[Robin Lumsden]

Adrian.

This pattern of skull is quite distinctive and was a variant worn on dress caps by the Prussian 1st and 2nd Leibhusaren pre-WW1. It is very different from the usual Leibhusar style as later adopted by the SS. I have also seen it used on Freikorps caps. There were many styles of Prussian cap skulls, all slightly different.

It's a nice original, with most of the silver plating polished off.

Regards,

Robin.

[Adrian Stevenson]

Hi Robin, many thanks for your informative reply. I am very pleased to have this info. I will add it to my files.

I paid £8 for it all those years ago

Cheers, Ade.

[Robin Lumsden]

Adrian.

Here's its big brother - the busby skull.

[Robin Lumsden]

Even these had variants - as here.

[Robin Lumsden]

Not to be confused with the Brunswick style.

[Robin Lumsden]

As worn on the busby of Hussar Regiment 17.

[Robin Lumsden]

And later adopted by Infantry Regiment 17.