EM Leather Belt

Product Description: This EM Leather Belt is a well-worn original piece, with great character. It is made of a typical, thick leather, assembled rough side out, and is still flexible. The exterior of this belt has been blackened, and shows lots of honest wear, with some of the natural brown tones of the leather visible where the blackening has been worn away. The belt hook is made of aluminum, which is characteristic of early, prewar examples. The belt hook shows wear, with only traces of the early smooth Feldgrau paint finish remaining, and is maker marked “L&F.” Some extra stitch holes visible on the inside of the belt show that this belt was originally a bit longer, and has been shortened; this is almost certainly a wartime done modification. The interior of the belt has taken on a dark brown color from age and wear. The “tongue” of the belt shows some wear to the holes, from having been worn with a buckle, but is complete and still sturdily held in place with the original stitching. There is no date or manufacturer marking. The belt is a decent size 100, about 39 inches. This EM leather belt has an attractive “field” look, and is in excellent condition.

Historical Description: The “Koppel,” or belt, was an important part of the German uniform, dating back to before the First World War. The standard enlisted pattern German belt was made of sturdy leather, with a thin leather “tongue” stitched to the inside of one end, to which the buckle (Koppelschloss) would be affixed. At the other end, the belt had a hook that would connect with the buckle to fasten it. These belts were worn by all military branches, as well as by political, civil, political and paramilitary organizations. With most uniforms, the belt was worn at all times when the wearer was on duty. The belts were made of brown, black, and natural leather, with sewn or riveted hooks made of aluminum or steel, depending on the pattern of the belt and the era in which it was made. There were also belts made of cotton webbing, intended for tropical use. Officer belts were often different; many types of officers wore the “Zweidornkoppel” belt with permanently affixed 2-prong buckle, while other uniforms or organizations called for a leather belt that was similar to the enlisted pattern, but wider, to accommodate the officer-specific buckles.

We are the leading team of military antique specialists. We have specialized in military antiques for over 25 years.

Epic Artifacts offers free evaluations and the highest prices available for your collectibles.

We purchase single items, entire collections, or family estates.

Click the link here to learn more: Free Evaluation or Inquiries