Hitler’s Uniforms

David Littlejohn in “The SA 1921-45: Hitler’s Stormtroopers” (Osprey publishing 1990):

A grey windjacket was popularly worn over either civilian or part-military attire. A swastika armband was the only constant feature. (…) Formal uniform was introduced in January 1923, consisting of a field-grey tunic and breeches and tan-coloured képi with the national cockade. Rank was signified by white bands around the brassard. The SA Standarte (Standard) also made its first appearance in January 1923; at this stage the letters NSDAP appeared on the front. (…)

When the SA was re-activated in February 1925 it adopted an all-brown uniform. Rank was still, as previously, indicated on the brassard, but in November 1926 collar patches in different colours to denote different regions were introduced.

1925

A group photo of 20 SA-Männer, members of the Sturmabteilung, taken around 1925 at Schellingstraße 50 in Munich, Germany, a building housing the offices of the Nazi Party (NSDAP) between July 1925 and 1931 (and from 1924 the studio of Nazi propaganda photographer Heinrich Hoffmann). The men, some of them very young, are likely also (former) members of the German nationalist right-wing organization Bund Oberland according to their paramilitary uniforms and insignia

First Official NSDAP uniform
- The diverse attire comprises a combination of civilian and military clothing.
- Among the garments are uniforms worn by World War I veterans and members of Freikorps, with collar tabs on certain tunics featuring the Edelweiss emblem of the Bund Oberland. Additionally, some caps also bear this flower emblem on their side, along with rank insignia displayed on certain shoulder straps.
- Several individuals are wearing peaked ski caps with buttoned front closure, adorned with a cockade and Swastika pin. (Initially, members of the early SA did not have official headgear and mostly wore grey Austrian-style ski caps until the introduction of the soft kepi.)
- Various Nazi swastika pins, military belt buckles, and military decorations on the uniforms.
- Long trousers, breeches, knee high stockings, puttees, leather leggings, etc.
- Leather shoes, ankle boots.

Supporters of the newly founded Nazi Party (NSDAP) in Rothselberg, Germany, 1925

National Socialists march in Berlin, 1925. For the election of the Reich president, supporters of the NSDAP march through a street in Berlin to promote their candidate, Paul von Hindenburg.

Supporters of the newly founded Nazi Party (NSDAP) in Mittenberg am Main, Germany, 1925

9 November 1925

1926

”Der shirt” appears in 1926

1927

Uniform one

In 1924, while the NSDAP was legally banned following the Beer Hall Putsch, Frontbann (underground SA) leader Gerhard Rossbach located a large store of war-surplus brown denim shirts in Austria, originally intended for tropical uniforms.[3] When the SA (which included the nascent SS) was re-founded in 1925 following Hitler’s release from prison, these brown shirts were issued as uniforms.

Brownshirt: Denim

Shirt buttons: white mother-of- pearl

Cufflinks: ? type of metal

Necktie: cotton?

Tiepin: metal

EK award: ? metal

Armband: rayon?

Crossbelt and waistbelt: dyed leather with ? type of metal fittings

Box style buckle: brass with nickel centerplate

Riding breeches or jodhpurs: corduroy

Knee-high socks: wool

Lace-up ankle boots: leather

Shoe laces: cotton?

Austrian style ski cap: wool

Flap buttons on cap: ? type of metal

Nazism / National Socialism, organisations, political organisation (PO) of NSDAP, administrative office, Schellingstrasse 50, Munich, circa 1927, from left: Reichsschatzmeister (treasurer) Franz Xaver Schwarz, Chief of SA Franz Pfeffer von Salomon, Reichsleiter Philipp Bouhler,

1928

Uniform 2 ?

1929

Adolf Hitler speaking at the funeral held on 13 March 1929 for one of the two victims of Die Blutnacht von Wöhrden. Otto Streibel, killed in action on 7 March 1929.