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I am going to start a thread with some original camouflage helmet covers.

I will show some nice examples

 

Owen

Owen, I'm looking forward to seeing some real covers. This is an area that scares me the most in the TR helmet collecting world. When you post them could you comment on what to look for since there are some really good reproductions out there. Thank you, Gregg

These covers are on the extreme boarder of my helmet interest. As such, I like knowing as much as possible about them. Looking forward to it Owen.

Working on it guys.

Please stay tuned.

 

Here is a pre war SS helmet cover.

1937

This is block pattern x

Very rare

The clips are hand sewn

 

Owen

 

 

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Here’s the front

 

 

Camouflage was experimental at this stage

 

This pattern and design should be considered the worlds first helmet cover issued to troops

 

 

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Here’s the other side clearly showing the unique cover design

 

 

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The backside also has the spring clip design

 

The pattern is one of the first that would morph into at least 30 different drawings

 

 

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One aspect of SS camouflage patterns that was ground breaking was the pattern was reversible regarding most until later in the war.

Here’s the block x winter side

Yiu can also see the spring cover with was always sewn in the winter side , until late war pieces slipped through quality control

 

 

 

 

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Here’s the front

As you can see the pattern was designed to work on a cover well.

Covers were first issued to the first SS regiments to test.

Later in n the year smocks were issued changing uniform history as we know it.

 

 

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The back reveals the 3 clip spring system that wolds the cover to the M-35 helmet

The winter colors are strong and bright

The fabric is a tight woven cotton poplin that was water resistant

 

 

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Block

1938

This is the second concept pattern offered for testing it would evolve into the Blured edge

The block x lines became like leaf shadows with sunlight filtering through

This pattern was tested and approved by HH and was seen during the Polish invasion leading into France .

By 1943 most had disappeared into the dirt of Russia.

Hj units were issued some old stock but in limited numbers , these were of course lost in the killing grounds of Normandy

 

 

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The block is a fuller print

Here’s the left side

Note the ———— added to the peak as a cloth strip

As seen on the first cover the peak sewing was a weak point

A strip of thin cotton was used as a stop gap measure to correct the split

In collecting terms this was called the Russia repair

Photo records show this appearing in the early campaign and the thought is it’s Russian non military fabric dyed to a somewhat vague military color

 

 

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It’s worth noting the pre war cover shown here had painted clips AND rivets something Not seen in other covers

 

Note this is a Very rare cover

 

 

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Blured edge

1940

Russia repair

Here’s a classic camouflage helmet cover

The BE pattern was a progressive drawing and seen widely in Russia

The peak repair is plainly visible

 

 

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The pattern can be seen better

The effect of sun shining through leaves is easy to see

 

 

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The rear showing the now familiar clip system

The clips came raw as well as coated

 

 

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Again fully reversed pattern

This is BE to collectors but I have read accounts of the pattern being named Smoke pattern by the men themselves and it’s easy to see why

 

 

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The spring inserts can be quite radical angled like this

 

 

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Plain tree

1940

Hand screened

 

The plain tree pattern made its appearance in 38 with drawings emulating the plain trees large spots from its tree bark

It’s a visually pleasing pattern and would be used for several renditions

 

 

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Fuller shot

This cover is typical of France -Russia and will be known as the classic SS pattern as seen on pictures throughout the war.

 

 

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Some b side prints are dull like the winter side on this cover

 

 

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Incredible information and excellent photography Owen. This old dog is learning some new things!

Excellent, and detailed, information on these W-SS helmet camo cover variations. I appreciate your sharing your knowledge with us.

Here’s a pair that is in focus unlike the last pic

The browns are consistent throughout the war strangely enough

The quality of the printing is second to none in typical German fashion

Later in the war printing standards may have slipped slightly but not much

I will show a few examples later

 

 

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