W-SS Rabbit fur cap

[NickG]

I believe this to be a textbook W-SS contract "Pelz mutze"
(holes for TK were already present)

[NickG]

It looks like any other Wehrmacht pile cap (I own various branches, Pol,Heer,LW)
but this one is different!

[NickG]

Herringbone silk lining!
and no typical RBNr which to me is indicative of a SS Bekleidungswerke contract! (no date either...only a size stamp... = W-SS)

(inside ear flap areas much cleaner than inside cap...with sweat stains...)

[NickG]

Compare with tunic lining!
Both are SS contract garments from the SS Bekleidungswerke, so no RBnr!

[NickG]

In wear...

[billbert]

I think you may be barking up the right tree Nick...
Billbert

[NickG]

Thanks for confirming Bilbert
I obtained it from Peter (TheGuild) at a regular "Heer" price...an oversight..

The "SS-Industrie" had their own internal sources for gear and through their own SS supply channels (also using forced labor) they were able to supply directly,
so no need for external contracts, no civilian manufacturers involved (so no RBNr codes...as my hat shows...)

This is a cover of a photo book that illustrates such industries...(source: Wisconsin.Historical.Society)

+ a map of Concentration Camps in Germany, titled "1943 31 Zuchtstationen", (breeding stations) where the SS kept angora rabbits for their raising
and harvesting projects at concentration camps spread out throughout Germany and occupied territories...so a self reliant industry.
(not all the furs for hats, parkas etc... came from civilian donation drives or Ghetto raids, confiscating materials/goods from Jewish people...)


Book (album) shown below with text documenting the angora rabbit wool raising projects operated by the SS at their concentration camps throughout German occupied territory and used by "SS-Bekleidungs-Werke" to make parkas and fur hats etc...!

Angora rabbit (From Wikipedia)
Distinguishing features; Angora rabbits' fur is shaved if their fur is long. The Angora rabbits' fur is made for coats.

The Angora rabbit (Turkish: Ankara tavşanı) is a variety of domestic rabbit bred for its long, soft wool. The Angora is one of the oldest types of domestic rabbit, originating in Ankara (historically known as Angora), present day Turkey, along with the Angora cat and Angora goat. The rabbits were popular pets with French royalty in the mid-18th century, and spread to other parts of Europe by the end of the century. They first appeared in the United States in the early 20th century. They are bred largely for their long Angora wool, which may be removed by shearing, combing, or plucking. (for garments)

[NickG]

Images in the book show the rabbits, their hutches,(cages)...cleaning activities...(many facilities were involved at 31 sites! KZ-lagern mostly,
to include Dachau)
It reads "sorting and storage" (prepared for shipment to SS-Industries where such garments were made.
(again source: Wisconsin.Historical.Society)

[NickG]

Cleaning the rabbit cages at one of such facilities...(again source: Wisconsin.Historical.Society)

[NickG]

Some more images of different facilities (different cages)
Note appears to be SS Totenkopf collar tab worn by the supervising SS-officer!

[NickG]

More on this SS rabbit breeding project here:
(It reads: The project officially began in 1941 with 6,500 rabbits and by 1943, Project Angora had bred nearly 65,000 rabbits,
producing over 10,000 pounds of wool (fur) in well over 30 installations, some depicted below (again source: Wisconsin.Historical.Society)

http://www.atlasobscura.com/articles...ntration-camps


and here:

http://www.thirdreicharts.com/engine...Filter=Gallery






Note sign:
Dachau Angora Zuchtstation der Waffen SS (Dachau Angora breeding station of the Waffen SS)


.

[NickG]

Now in the collection. W-SS machine gunner Budapest 1945.
Note also SS pattern great coat.

[NickG]

Some of my other rabbits...all have RBNr info, cotton twill liners, not herringbone silk...and a 1942 dated LW cap with maker name.
The W-SS one is completely plain...devoid of any info, other than a size stamp (just like W-SS M43 caps)!
This concludes my presentation! Thanks for looking!

[ValhallaMilitaria]

Wuv me some Wabbit fur caps! great pile there Nick!

[NickG]

Wuv me some Wabbit fur caps! great pile there Nick!

Thanks ValhallaMilitaria! Here some more period images (SS and Heer)