WW2 German 1939 Allgemeine SS Generals Visor Cap by Erel (Original)
SKU: GERMAN 1939 SS ALLGEMEINE GENERALS VISOR CAP BY EREL
Original/Reproduction:
Availability: In-Stock
Manufacturer: Erel-Robert Lubstein of Germany
Date Manufactured: 1939
Model: S-VA 1939 Erfurt 4.39
Organization: Allgemeine SS (General SS)
Rank: General SS Officer
Materials: Black doeskin wool, silver/aluminum piping, velvet band, gold silk lining, Vulcanfiber visor
Markings: SS-VA 1939 Erfurt 4.39; Erel rhomboid maker’s mark
Size: 57cm
Condition: Near Mint, Excellent, with age-consistent patina and complete insignia
Price: $5,000.00
Seller Type: WW2C
Seller ID: JMW
Seller Code:
Return Policy: 3-day inspection and return policy on used guns and accessories.
Description
This is an German 1939 Allgemeine-SS General’s Visor Cap manufactured by Erel (Robert Lubstein, Berlin), one of the most prestigious makers of SS and Wehrmacht headgear. This fine and exceptionally rare example remains in excellent condition, representing one of the highest grades of SS officer’s dress headgear.
The cap features a superb black wool top of officer-quality fabric, piped in aluminum bullion around the crown and upper band. The velvet cap band is trimmed in matching silver-aluminum wire piping and fitted with a classic Vulcanfiber visor. Its front is adorned with a patinated silvered SS eagle and skull (Totenkopf)—both exhibiting deep age toning and beautiful detail consistent with original wartime pieces.
The interior displays the hallmark Erel construction, with a gold artificial silk lining bearing the “SS-VA 1939” and “ERFURT 4.39” inspection markings. The rhomboid Erel trademark remains visible on the lining, including a partial section of the original foil manufacturer’s tag. The leather sweatband, perforated at the front for ventilation, is clearly embossed with the Erel logo, confirming authenticity and period manufacture. This interior showcases the superior craftsmanship characteristic of Erel’s work. It features a gold artificial silk lining, with a clear diamond-shaped sweatshield containing the Erel “Privat” trademark. Beneath this shield is the SS-VA 1939 Erfurt 4.39 depot marking, confirming official SS acceptance and dating the cap to April 1939.
The cap features the quintessential black doeskin wool body, a hallmark of the Allgemeine SS uniform, with silver/aluminum piping encircling the crown and upper/lower edges of the velvet cap band—denoting the high rank of a general officer. The Vulcanfiber visor retains its high-gloss black finish, standard for officers’ service dress caps.
The front is adorned with a hand-embroidered aluminum SS eagle and Totenkopf (skull) insignia, both exhibiting period patina consistent with authentic 1930s manufacture. These emblems are precisely affixed in the regulation position, capturing the striking appearance typical of SS leadership dress regalia.
The leather sweatband, soft and perforated for ventilation, bears the Erel logo embossing, a signature mark of authenticity. The craftsmanship quality and materials used throughout the construction—especially the combination of velvet, aluminum piping, and high-quality silk—firmly identify it as a private-purchase general officer’s cap rather than an issued example.
This Allgemeine-SS General’s visor cap is an extraordinary example—museum-grade and among the most desirable SS headgear variants ever produced. It has been carefully preserved in one of the finest private collections in the United States.
History
The Allgemeine SS (General SS) served as the administrative and political foundation of the Schutzstaffel prior to and during the early years of the Second World War. General officers’ visor caps, such as this example, were worn at parades, high-level meetings, and state functions, symbolizing both elite status and authority within the organization. Produced by Robert Lubstein’s Erel firm, known for outfitting senior Wehrmacht and SS officers, these caps are among the most sought-after pieces of Third Reich regalia. Surviving 1939-dated examples are scarce, especially in such preserved condition, making this piece an exceptional artifact of high-ranking SS dress uniform history.
