In late 1934 a special uniform for the men of the tank formations began to make the scene. Although the design and color were practical characteristics, the origins of these characteristics may have been influenced by the Imperial German Death's Head Hussar uniforms. These were black, double-breasted tunics with the death's head emblem. The death's head emblem was also used in World War I by the infant German Tank Corps.
By the end of 1940, however, the service dress uniform was no longer issued to the panzer crews, with exception of the field-gray greatcoat, and so the black panzer uniform was to be worn on all occasions.
