Original Item: Only One Available. This is a maroon fez that was part of the dress parade uniform of the 13th Waffen Mountain Division of the SS - Handschar (1st Croatian), a military detachment composed of Muslims from Bosnia, Croatia, and Herzegovina in occupied Yugoslavia. This was the first non-Germanic Waffen-SS division, and its formation marked the expansion of the Waffen-SS into a multi-ethnic military force.

The creation of the 13th SS was authorized by AH in 1943, with the original purpose being to combat Tito's partisans. Through recruitment and conscription, the unit had 26,000 soldiers within a few months. The group was commanded by German or ethnic German officers, and the uniforms were designed to reflect the religion and ethnicity of the recruits. Later, the Fez was also issued to local volunteers from other areas in the Balkans.

There were two versions of the fez: a field gray model to be worn in combat and while on duty and a maroon model for parades, marching exercises and while off duty.

This example is offered in overall very good condition, with only minor age toning and some moth damage on the red (maroon) wool felt exterior, definitely one of the better examples we have seen. There is a small hole on the left side, but it does not look to be moth related. The insignia look great as well, and are sewn on using black thread on the front and red thread on the back, as with other examples we have seen. There is just a bit of light age toning and staining on the silver thread. The top tassel has just a bit of fraying at the ends, and the center "stalk" is still firmly attached. The tack stitches holding the tassel in place are still fully intact, and hold the strands in place well.

The inside has a leather sweatband around the entire circumference, which is definitely a bit age worn, and has detached from body of the fez in several places, both due to the stitching rotting out, and due to the leather dry rotting. This is definitely not an example that was "rescued" from a depot unissued during the war! We measured it, and it seems to be about a size 56-57cm.

This example is 100% authentic: there are and have been numerous fakes on the market, this is not one of those. Ready to display!