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 faintly stamped on the inside with size 57 (US 7 1/8), and is offered in overall very good condition, with only minor age toning and moth nips on red (maroon) wool felt exterior, definitely one of the better examples we have seen. The insignia look great as well, showing some 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 most of the circumference, which is stamped in white with what looks to be L SS over GIROMAGNY, a location in France, and the date 1943 at the bottom. We have never seen a stamp like this before, and information sent in by a customer indicates this was a maker that had previously supplied Fez's for the French colonial forces.

The sweatband itself is definitely 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!

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