Description
Physical description
Cover
Close fitting helmet cover made of three panels of duck material with a fitted envelope front and foliage securing strips. The cover is printed with reversible seasonal colour camouflage, representing an 'oakleaf' pattern in contrasting colours. There are three sets of metal 'rocker' clips attached that secure the cover to either the M1935 or M1942 pattern helmets.
Label
Close fitting helmet cover made of three panels of duck material with a fitted envelope front and foliage securing strips. The cover is printed with reversible seasonal colour camouflage, representing an 'oakleaf' pattern in contrasting colours. There are three sets of metal 'rocker' clips attached that secure the cover to either the M1935 or M1942 pattern helmets.
The Waffen-SS pioneered the first use of widespread issue of camouflaged combat clothing. The Tarnhelmüberzug (helmet cover) was first tested in 1937 and patented in 1938. Constructed of hard-wearing duck fabric, the cover was made in such a way as it could be reversible, offering the wearer the ability to wear the predominantly green-based pattern worn outside in spring and summer, and the autumnal shades of rust and tan colours during the colder months of the year.
There were a variety of colour schemes used, and most fell into the various descriptions of 'Plane Tree', 'Palm', 'Oakleaf' and 'Blurred Edge'. However, as there were several companies involved in the manufacture of these types of items there are several variations of colour and design, depending on the process and dyes used.
The earlier issue pieces were void of foliage loops and had a reinforcing band of tape fitted to the visor, but from 1941 loops of the same style of camouflage print cloth were added.
History note
The Waffen-SS pioneered the first use of widespread issue of camouflaged combat clothing. The Tarnhelmueberzug (helmet cover) was first tested in 1937 and patented in 1938. Constructed of hard-wearing duck fabric, the cover was made in such a way as it could be reversible, offering the wearer the ability to wear the predominantly green-based pattern worn outside in spring and summer, and the autumnal shades of rust and tan colours during the colder months of the year.
There were a variety of colour schemes used, and most fell into the various descriptions of 'Plane Tree', 'Palm', 'Oakleaf' and 'Blurred Edge'. However, as there were several companies involved in the manufacture of these types of items there are several variations of colour and design, depending on the process and dyes used.
The earlier issue pieces were void of foliage loops and had a reinforcing band of tape fitted to the visor, but from 1941 loops of the same style of camouflage print cloth were added.