Panzer uniform piping ?

Correct, SS Panzer officers had silver collar piping, lower ranks had none. And this little piggy said wee, wee, wee all the way home.......Sorry, that just slipped out.

Yes John the Wermacht Piping was Pink for Armour

thanks alot

My info shows both the Heer and Waffen-SS as using pink for tank and anti-tank units, light grey was used for propoganda troops (Heer) and General Officers (Waffen-SS).

Source: TM-E 30-451, U.S. War Department Handbook on German Forces
15 March 1945

I believe what the US Army is referring to is the Waffenfarbe, or Arm of Service Color, which for both Heer and SS tank and anti-tank units is pink. This color would be displayed on the shoulder boards and the soutache enclosing the death's head on the feldmutze and on the piping of the service dress cap,(see left and right photos respectively), but not on the collar piping or collar patches, although pink piped collar patches have been occasionally seen on SS Panzer uniforms.

Hmmm....now which book have I seen those pics from? Don't you just love the way these re-enactors really get into the part - the eye patch is a classic.

Any way, not all field caps had the soutache - see this pic:

The early SS caps had the fold on the top off centre to the right of the wearer (whereas the army and later caps were centred) and these also had no soutache, just the front badge. The later model caps were generally made with the soutache, but due to the number of different manufacturers there were many variations including the lack of soutache.

In 1943, the peaked cap was introduced. These were manufactured in two types but both had the fold down flaps that were buttoned at the front:
- one with a large button on the front and the scalloped 'cut out' on the forward part of the fold. This type was made with a woven eagle at the front top and the 'deathshead' underneath that; and
- one with 2 small buttons and the folded flaps were level all around the cap. This type only had the 'deathshead' at the front peak and the visor was more pronounced.

Not really about shoulder borads and such, but thought you might appreciate the pics.

QUOTE: Originally posted by Peridexion I believe what the US Army is referring to is the Waffenfarbe, or Arm of Service Color, which for both Heer and SS tank and anti-tank units is pink. This color would be displayed on the shoulder boards and the soutache enclosing the death's head on the feldmutze and on the piping of the service dress cap,(see left and right photos respectively), but not on the collar piping or collar patches, although pink piped collar patches have been occasionally seen on SS Panzer uniforms. *Image removed to save space*

Yes they are referring to the Waffenfarbe, I missread the ? a little.
As to piping:


This is a Major of the Heer (army) as evidenced by the silver braid on the shoulder boards. Of note is the lack of piping on both the collar and the collar tab (patch), the Waffenfarbe piping ONLY occurs on dress coats and trousers. The Waffenfarbe color is on the shoulder boards, collar tabs and cap.


This is an SS seargent (Unterschafuhrer). Here we see the collar and patch piping and also the Waffenfarbe color on the shoulder tabs. Neither the Allgemeine SS nor the Reichsfuhrer SS wore this style tab.


This is the black Heer Panzer uniform (Seargent) with correct piping.


This is an SS Major in the black Panzer uniform showing the Waffenfarbe color on the shoulder tabs only.
Contrary to popular belief the ribbion in thre button hole is the Honor Roll clasp and not a ribbon for the iron cross.

All this added detail to say that Peridexion is correct.