This type of cap was worn by German solder's during the First World War. It was made at first from tin and then from alloy as the war progressed. The cloth version was machine embroidered using grey or silver coloured thread and worn directly underneath the SS national eagle. Three examples of the SS deaths head insignia. Far left is the BeVo type machine embroidered skull worn on cloth headgear by NCOs and other ranks alike.
Centre is the tin officer's deaths head insignia which was worn on officers caps.
Far right is the deaths head and SS national eagle embroidered onto a black piece of backing cloth and worn on the front of the Einheitsfeldmutze.