Original Item: Only One Available. This is a very good condition original German WWII right side collar tab for the 13th Waffen Mountain Division of the SS “Handschar” (1st Croatian). This distinctive divisional insignia depicts an arm and hand holding a curved sword alongside a hook cross, embroidered in silver gray rayon thread against black badge cloth. Measuring approximately 2 1/2" x 1 5/8", it is an immediately recognizable piece of Waffen-SS divisional insignia with strong appeal for the advanced cloth and uniform collector.

German SS collar tabs were worn as a pair, with the left side generally displaying rank while the right side carried the wearer's unit or organizational insignia. For the Handschar Division, the usual SS runic device was replaced by this distinctive divisional emblem showing an arm holding a curved sword, or handschar, together with a hook cross. The division's name itself referred to the traditional curved sword from which the insignia was derived.

The 13th Waffen Mountain Division of the SS “Handschar” (1st Croatian) was formed beginning in 1943. Despite its formal “1st Croatian” designation, much of its enlisted strength consisted of Bosnian Muslims, along with other personnel, and the division was organized primarily for mountain and anti-partisan operations in the Balkans. Its distinctive uniforms and insignia have made surviving Handschar material a specialized area of German WWII collecting.

This tab is constructed from black “badge cloth” wrapped around an internal lacquered buckram fabric stiffener and folded and stitched on the reverse. The face is embroidered in silver gray rayon thread with the Handschar divisional device. The embroidery remains well defined, giving the tab strong visual presence despite its evident age and handling.

Condition is very good overall. The front shows some wear, along with what appears to be a small area of light glue residue at the end of the embroidered hand. The reverse has glue residue around essentially the entire perimeter, most likely from having been mounted in a post war display. The underlying construction remains clearly visible, and the tab continues to present very well from the front.

For the Waffen-SS insignia, German WWII cloth, or specialized Handschar collector, this is a particularly desirable divisional collar tab. Its distinctive embroidered sword and hand device, original black badge cloth construction, approximately 2 1/2" x 1 5/8" size, and very good overall presentation make it an excellent standalone insignia or companion piece for a broader Waffen-SS or Balkan campaign display.

Notable history of the 13th Waffen SS Mountain Division "Handschar" (1st Croatian Division) includes:

- 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.