*German, WW2, SS Frostschutzsalbe (Anti-Frostbite Salve), Tin Issue, Munich*
A rare original SS issue Frostschutzsalbe tin (anti-frostbite ointment), finished in red with impressed white lettering. The lid reads: “Frostschutzsalbe / Wehrkreissanitätspark VII / München / SS-Packung”; translates as “Anti-frostbite ointment / Army District Medical Depot VII / Munich / SS-Package.”
The ointment was supplied to frontline SS and Wehrmacht troops operating in extreme winter conditions, particularly on the Eastern Front, where frostbite was a major cause of casualties. These tins were distributed as part of cold-weather kits and personal medical issue.
Each tin measures approx. 3.4 cm diameter x 0.7 cm deep. They remain sealed and cannot be opened, so it is not possible to confirm whether any of the original salve remains inside.
Historical Note:
Frostbite was a critical threat to German forces during the harsh winters of the Eastern Front campaign. The German medical service issued frostbite salves and protective creams in small tins such as this, designed to fit easily into pockets or pouches. The reference to Wehrkreissanitätspark VII (Munich) identifies the regional medical supply depot responsible for production and distribution.
SS-marked examples are notably scarcer than standard Wehrmacht issue, reflecting both their restricted distribution and the relatively low survival rate of consumable medical supplies after the war.
*Condition*
We have a few of these tins all in similar original condition, showing their wartime age with surface wear, scratches, and small paint chips to the edges. The impressed white lettering remains clear and legible throughout, including the SS marking. Each tin is sealed shut, and we are unable to open them, so the presence of ointment inside is unknown. While there may be slight differences between examples, all are in comparable condition to the one photographed. Please see photographs as part of the condition report.
