The" Leibstandarte SS Adolf Hitler" or the "LAH" founded in 1933 was responsible for the protection of Adolf Hitler and were considered his personal bodyguard. This drum skirt would date to the period of 1933/34  and would have been used in parades or concerts.

The item was recovered in Berlin in 1945 inside a bus full of musical equipment by a U.S veteran who grabbed the most attractive item he could find. Naturally the the name Adolf Hitler and skulls adorned in silver bullion would be an obvious choice. These skirts which adorned the kettle drums are featured in various form in 3rd Reich photo's and film and a surviving examples of such pieces is quite uncommon.

Measuring approx 8 feet long and having three adorned panels of bullion the piece depicts the early pattern eagle and the wording "Adolf Hitler Standarte" in silver bullion to one panel and the two additional panels bear the SS Tokenkopf skulls in bullion.

Photo Credits: Private Collection