Prussian EM/NCO Buckle

Product Description: This Prussian EM/NCO Buckle is a classic example of this iconic Imperial German buckle type. This is a textbook, issue type buckle, 45 mm wide, and slightly convex. The body of the buckle is made of stamped sheet brass. The center of the front of the buckle is adorned with a nickel silver roundel that features a crown to its domed center, encompassed by a dual rope-like border within which, against a ribbed background, is “Gott Mit Uns” (God [is] With Us), and a spray of laurels. The mellow luster of the nickel silver contrasts beautifully with the golden color of the brass. This buckle shows lots of nice shine, with only a very slight patina. The reverse of this Prussian EM/NCO Buckle is unmarked, which is standard for these. It has in integral catch for the hook on the belt. The two solder joints used to affix the roundel are intact and original. The roller bar and prongs assembly is all brass, and is intact and functional. There is some old, uncleaned verdigris that shows that this was once on a leather belt. This buckle is complete and sound, with no damage or repairs. It’s in excellent condition.

Historical Description: The belt buckle was an important part of the regalia worn by all uniformed military, civil, political, and paramilitary organizations during the Third Reich. The belt (“Koppel”) was part of the uniform and would always be worn while on duty. The belt buckle (“Koppelschloss”) was generally specific to each organization, with many organizations having separate belt buckles for officers and for enlisted personnel, sometimes with different colors and finishes to further denote specific purposes. The buckles were adorned with various mottos and designs specific to the organizations for which they were intended. Many designs used the German national eagle emblem, in a variety of forms. Belt buckles were worn with uniforms ranging from finely tailored officer parade uniforms, to the issue uniforms of enlisted soldiers in combat. Generally speaking, most German belt buckles of the Third Reich were made with two prongs on the reverse, to allow the buckle to be worn and adjusted on a belt. The buckle had a catch that would mate with a hook on the belt, when worn. The earliest Third Reich buckles were often made of brass, or nickel silver. Later, aluminum became very common, and was used on private purchase as well as enlisted buckles of the German military, with or without a painted or plated finish. After WWII began, most enlisted military buckles were steel. Nazi belt buckles were popular souvenirs for Allied troops who served in Europe. Some types were made by the millions and remain quite common today. Others were made in limited numbers and are very rare.

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