English: Adolf Hitler, leader of the German Nazi Party (NSDAP), surrounded by his personal bodyguards (left to right): Julius Schaub, Julius Schreck, Hitler, Hans Georg Maurer, and Edmund Schneider. The photograph, possibly issued as a Nazi propaganda postcard, bears handwritten signatures from several of the men depicted.

The bodyguards are wearing early-style paramilitary SS uniforms, including black kepi caps with cockade and skull insignia, brown shirts with metal buttons and NSDAP swastika armbands edged in black, black ties with small NSDAP membership badges pinned to them, brown or light khaki breeches, civilian leather belts, and lace-up leather boots with gaiters or field-grey puttees. Hitler is dressed in traditional South German Trachten, consisting of Lederhosen, stockings, and a Janker jacket.

A sixth man, standing to Hitler’s left, has been crudely inked out of the photograph. Long believed to be Emil Maurice — who was expelled from the SS in 1935 after being identified as having Jewish ancestry, though later permitted to retain his titles and privileges — the identity of this individual remains the subject of scholarly debate.

The photograph most likely dates from the autumn of 1925.

The SS and its origins

The Schutzstaffel (SS) was officially founded on 9 November 1925 as Adolf Hitler’s personal protection unit. Hitler’s chauffeur, Julius Schreck, became commander of its first formation.

The origins of the SS lay in earlier paramilitary guard units. The Stabswache formed in early 1923 as a small Sturmabteilung (SA) hall-protection unit, developed into the Stoßtrupp Adolf Hitler, a mobile and tightly disciplined bodyguard personally loyal to Hitler and active during the Beer Hall Putsch. After the failed coup and the subsequent reorganization of the Nazi movement, the concept of a dedicated elite guard was revived in 1925 with the formation of the Sturmstaffel, which soon evolved into the Schutzstaffel—initially conceived solely as Hitler’s personal guard before becoming an independent and powerful organization within the Nazi regime.

On 4 April 1925, acting on Hitler’s orders, Julius Schreck established a new Hallenschutz (“hall protection”) unit as a successor to the banned Stoßtrupp Adolf Hitler. This Stabswache, consisting of Schreck, Ulrich Graf, Christian Weber, Emil Maurice, Julius Schaub, and Erhard Heiden, made its first public appearance on 16 April 1925 at the funeral of Ernst Pöhner.

Through several interim designations — Hall-Schutz, Schutzkommando, and Sturmstaffel— the name Schutzstaffel (“Protection Squadron”) was ultimately adopted. The term was reportedly suggested by former SA leader Hermann Göring, inspired by Manfred von Richthofen’s First World War escort squadron.