Original German WWII Croatian 13th Waffen SS Mountain Division “Handschar” Right Side Collar Tab – Unissued Original Items

Original Items: Very Few Available. We have just acquired a few of these excellent unissued right side Collar Tabs, used by the 13th Waffen Mountain Division of the SS “Handschar” (1st Croatian). Each tab measures approximately 2 1/2″ x 1 1/2″, though these were handmade, and vary slightly in size. Known as Kragenpatten in German, these were attached to the collars to indicate the rank and branch of the wearer. This example shows a Swas (Swas), next to a hand holding a sword, and is made of black fabric with silver thread and an internal lacquered buckram fabric stiffener. This particular type of collar tab was made at the Dachau Camp, and many were recovered at the end of the war.

The insignia are all excellent condition, most likely unissued, and were never attached to a uniform. The color and stitch patterns vary slightly, as does the color of the buckram stiffener. Ready to add to your collection!

Notable history of the 13th Waffen SS Mountain Division “Handschar” (1st Croatian Division) include:

– Approved to form as an SS unit February 13, 1943, as the first non-Germanic SS foreign volunteer division. These men were not authorized wear of the SS runic emblem, and they wore this distinctive collar insignia instead.

– Prior to the formation of the division, approval also had to be granted by the Croatian government

– 26,000 men were recruited by mid-1943.

– In February 1944, the division served in Bosnia, Serbia, and Sirmium completing anti-Partisan operations.

– Late 1944, the Division served in southern Hungary in front-line fighting against the advancing Russians.

– May 8th 1945 the division surrendered to British troops.