1937 2nd Pattern Heer Enlisted Buckle – Aluminum – Julius Maurer

Product Description: This 2nd Pattern Heer Enlisted Buckle is a choice example of this iconic prewar German Army type. The obverse of this aluminum buckle retains all of the original detail and about 75 percent of the original field gray green painted finish. It is very hard to find these with so much original paint as the paint wore off the aluminum buckles very quickly. On the reverse, this buckle shows only minimal wear. The integral catch for the hook on the belt is intact. The roller bar is missing one of the two original aluminum attachment prongs for affixing it to the belt. The reverse of this fine buckle is maker marked and dated Julius Maurer Oberstein 1937. This is a less common manufacturer of these buckles. This beautiful combat buckle has a lot going for it, with a great look. The condition is excellent.

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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