Original Item: Only One Available. This is an original, apparently unissued German WWII right collar tab intended for members of the 25th Waffen Grenadier Division of the SS “Hunyadi” (1st Hungarian). The distinctive machine embroidered capital “H” immediately identifies the divisional pattern, giving this compact insignia strong appeal for collectors of foreign volunteer formations and late war German uniform insignia.

Known in German as a Kragenspiegel, the tab has the traditional parallelogram form and measures approximately 2 1/2" x 1 1/2". It is constructed from black fabric over an internal lacquered buckram stiffener, with the large “H” worked in silver gray thread. On the uniform, this divisional emblem was worn on the right side of the collar, while the corresponding left collar tab displayed the wearer’s rank.

The insignia remains in excellent condition and shows no apparent evidence of having been sewn to or removed from a uniform. The black facing, embroidered device, and internal stiffener are all well preserved, supporting its identification as an apparently unissued example.

This style of construction is frequently attributed by collectors to insignia associated with the Dachau camp, where quantities of uniform material were reportedly recovered at the end of the war. However, we were unable to confirm a documented connection between this particular collar tab and Dachau, so no specific place of manufacture or recovery is asserted.

The unit’s full German designation was:

25. Waffen-Grenadier-Division der SS “Hunyadi” (ungarische Nr. 1)

The division was ordered formed in November 1944 and drew much of its personnel from Hungarian military formations, volunteers, and recruits. Its title honored John Hunyadi, the prominent 15th century Hungarian military leader. The division assembled and trained at Neuhammer, but shortages of weapons, vehicles, and other equipment prevented it from becoming a fully organized and properly equipped combat formation. As Soviet forces advanced, its personnel withdrew westward, and the surviving elements ultimately entered American captivity in Austria in May 1945.

With its distinctive embroidered “H,” well preserved black facing, intact buckram stiffener, and apparently unissued condition, this is an especially attractive example of a limited issue divisional collar tab. It would display particularly well in a Waffen-SS foreign formation, Hungarian WWII, German collar insignia, or advanced military embroidery collection.