Aluminum HJ Buckle

Product Description: This is a nice representative example of an aluminum HJ Buckle. This is the standard buckle worn by members of the Hitler Youth. This examples shows signs of honest daily wear. The front never had any paint, and the bare aluminum has taken on a slight age patina. There are scattered scratches and marks from use, and even wear has softened some details at the high points of the design. There is no major damage to note. The reverse of this aluminum HJ Buckle is textbook, with an integral catch for the hook on the belt. The roller bar and prongs assembly is all aluminum, and is complete, with no issues. It’s marked near the catch with the round “RZM” logo of the Reichszeugmeisterei, as well as the maker code “M4/27” in raised lettering. This code identifies the maker of this buckle as the firm of  Overhoff & Cie. This all-original buckle displays nicely, and remains 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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