Need advice for a comic strip

[Blancou]

Hello, I am a French comic strip artist. I'm not an expert on uniforms, so I need some advice. I have to design a uniform and I don't want to make too many mistakes. My next book is set in Vienna, Austria in 1938. In my story there is an SS officer. I have no idea what his rank is. He's not high up. For graphic reasons, I would have opted for a black uniform. But I discovered many variations. I don't know what would be good. Do you have any visual material to share with me? THANKS.

[ErWeSa]

There is a lot of information to be found here on the forum, best thing is to do a little search yourself, here are some links:

Pic - Allgemeine SS Tunic

SS insignia from the Ostmark

There is a lot on the web, of course (malheureusement presque rien en francais):

Uniformen der SS – Wikipedia
Karl Diebitsch | The designer of the infamous black SS uniform - YouTube

Bonne soirée!

[Blancou]

Hello,
Thank you very much for these documents.

I have specific questions:
1 - I have a doubt about the V-shaped chevron on the right arm. Can the character have one regardless of his rank? Should it be single, double or triple? With a flower?
2 - I sometimes see round or rectangular belt buckles. Is it important ?
3 - I have rarely seen ocher shirts. Was this important in Austria in 1938?
4 - I don't think we'll see this level of detail in the designs, but I wonder what significance some of the decorations on the left pocket have?

Thank you

[ErWeSa]

I am no specialist for uniforms so I can't answer all of your questions. F.-B. was THE specialist for the early black uniforms, he would have known.

2: rectangular belt buckles: Enlisted men/Non comissioned officers, round buckles: officers.
3: the brown shirts "Braunhemd" were originally worn by the SS with the black uniform

[Vocht]

Hello, I can help you out a bit with your questions.

1. These V-shaped chevron are "Ehrenwinkel der Alten Kämpfer" or old fighters chevron. This indicates membership before the NSDAP came into power in January 1933.
A chevron on the left arm indicates a rank of a trooper. One stripe for SS-Sturmmann. 2 stripes for SS-Rottenführer.

2. Yes this is important. SS buckles are square for enlisted men and NCO's. Round for officers. Google "SS officer belt buckle" and "EM SS buckle" and you will see the difference.

3. Also under black SS service uniforms were brown shirts worn by the men. Black tie.

4. Many different type of awards were worn on the left pocket.
The most generic ones for a trooper of low rank what you are describing would be for example an SA sports badge.

[ErWeSa]

For further, very detailed information, see here: Black SS Uniforms - A better understanding.

and here: SS Black-Top EM/NCO Visors in Wear

[Blancou]

Thank you so much. I'll start drawing and show you the result.