A 13Th Waffen-Ss Mountain Division Handschar “Fez” Cap

Handschar “Fez” Cap; body in maroon-coloured felt “fez”; machine embroidered BeVo Waffen-SS cap eagle and cap skull; tassels in black with some light fraying on the ends; sweat band in black leather, cracked and partially missing; “54” tag behind leather sweat band; overall better than very fine condition.

Footnote: The 13th Waffen Mountain Division of the SS Handschar was raised in France in 1943 and consisted mainly of Bosnian muslim Waffen-SS Officers and NCO’s. As an anti-partisan division, it moved east in the spring of 1933 to fight against Tito’s mainly Serb Christian partisans in Yugoslavia (Northern Bosnia). The 13. Waffen-Gebirgs-Division der SS “Handschar” was granted an unusual concession by Heinrich Himmler to adopt the traditional fez in the form of the SS M43 fez and to continue with all religious practices. All ranks wore the fez cap; grey for field use, and burgundy for dress and ceremonial occasions. (C:100)