This mantel and visor cap were purchased privately in Austria back in the 1980's. Also purchased at the same time was an identical visor cap, which still had the price tag attached, a tunic with the hand embroidered block letter Totenkopf title and a pair of breeches. These items still reside in a European collection while the mantel and extra visor cap were sold off.
he visor cap lacks a sweat shield and is evidently mid war era. I have noted many period photographs in which Totenkopf officers wear the Heer form of eagle on both the sleeve and the visor cap. The reason for this is unknown to me. The shoulderboard indicates the owner held the rank of Sturmfuhrer of Infantry. One must wonder if he was one of the many Totenkopf men to fall in the battle for Budapest.
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