Germany, SS. A Croatian Volunteer’s Sleeve Insignia, with Private Wartime Photograph

(Waffen-SS Ärmelschild für Mannschaften der 13. Waffen-Gebirgs-Division der SS Handschar - kroatische Nr. 1, mit Foto). A pair of items pertinent to Croatian Waffen-SS and Wehrmacht volunteers, including:

1. A 13th Waffen Mountain Division of the SS Handschar (1st Croatian) sleeve shield, constructed of black wool, the obverse bearing a machine-embroidered white and red Croatian national emblem, measuring 60 mm (w) x 65 mm (h), in unissued and near mint condition.

2. A private wartime photograph, depicting a group of uniformed Croatian Wehrmacht (Heer) volunteers sitting on the edge of a train car, wearing tunics and greatcoats with the third pattern Croatian volunteer shield visible on the right arms of two NCOs, most wearing Heer-issued M43 field caps with T-shaped eagle insignia, while one notably wears an M43 cap with a Croatian Defence Forces emblem, the reverse bearing a handwritten date of “24. XII. 43” (24 December 1943), measuring 70 mm (w) x 95 mm (h), a superb wartime image in extremely fine condition.