Reichskanzler Adolf Hitler

The top of the Third Reich pyramid from 1934 - 1945 was of course the Fuhrer and Riechschancellor of Germany, Adolf Hitler. So much has been written of Hitler over the last 80 years that nothing needs to be added here with the exception of some notes on his uniforms and regalia. For the most part, Hitler was very Spartan in his choice of uniforms and accoutrements, unlike the rest of the military, civilian and political branches of his Reich. He preferred understated and simple uniforms and headgear and for decorations often wore nothing more than his WWI Iron Cross and Wound bage….unlike many of the other German political hack’s who were often bestowed many prestigious awards from both Germany and other nations. In the pre-war years, Hitler wore the brown uniform, switching to field grey once the war began, both reflecting and reinforcing his role as commander in chief of all the German forces.

Reichschancellor

Reichschancellor Adolf Hitler’s Brown Political Leaders Tunic, Visor and Awards

Hitler was, of course, the highest ranking individual in the Third Reich, being not only the Chancellor and President of Germany, but also self appointed Supreme Commander of all the German Armed Forces. This uniform and personality grouping was found in Hitler’s Munich residence and brought back by US Army veteran Philip Benjamin Lieber, in 1945. Originally sold to Mohawk Arms in the 1970s, the uniform and grouping has since transitioned to Wolfe and Hardin in the 1990s and now resides in the Gottlieb collection.

(Courtesy Craig Gottlieb)

Reichschancellor Adolf Hitler Tunics

An assortment of three different tunics that belonged to Hitler, all of which now reside in a Russian museum and were captured from Hitler’s bunker by Soviet forces. The brown stains are fire damage from an attempt by the SS guards to burn the bunker prior to its capture.

(Photos © RUSFRONT. Please see the Russian book “Trophies of the Second World War” for more information)