The question of whether Black Ss Uniforms remained in use for enlisted men and NCOs of the Allgemeine-SS throughout World War II is a point of discussion among historians and collectors. It’s often assumed that with the shift to wartime conditions, the black uniform was replaced by the feldgrau (field grey) tunic. However, photographic evidence and logical reasoning suggest a more nuanced reality.
While it’s understood that the Allgemeine-SS was significantly reduced from its pre-war size, and orders existed to transition to grey uniforms, the extent to which this was fully implemented, especially for lower ranks, is debatable. Anecdotal observations, such as images showing both black and grey uniforms worn concurrently by SS personnel, challenge the idea of a complete and immediate replacement.
Secondary sources, including respected publications and the collective knowledge within collecting communities, sometimes contribute to the misconception that black uniforms were entirely phased out, perhaps as early as 1942. Some accounts suggest black uniforms were even recycled for raw materials. However, the continued presence of black uniforms in period photographs, even late into the war, casts doubt on the absolute nature of such directives.
Consideration must also be given to the practicalities of wartime resource management. In a conflict marked by shortages and economic strain, the idea of discarding perfectly usable black uniforms to fully equip even part-time SS members with grey tunics might not have been universally enforced or feasible. The anecdote of Hans Johst, Himmler’s poet laureate, needing to request permission to wear a grey uniform, further indicates that uniform regulations and availability were not always straightforward.
Therefore, while grey uniforms became increasingly prevalent, particularly for Waffen-SS combat troops and full-time SS personnel, it is plausible that black uniforms continued to be worn by Allgemeine-SS enlisted men and NCOs throughout the war, especially those in part-time roles or non-combat assignments. Further investigation and documentary evidence beyond secondary literature are needed to definitively clarify the regulations and actual practices concerning black SS uniform usage until 1945. The survival of black uniforms to the end of the war itself suggests they were not entirely eliminated from use as early as commonly believed.
