German Imperial WW1 EM Buckle

Product Description: This is a fantastic example of a German Imperial WW1 EM Buckle. It’s a wartime pattern buckle, made of stamped steel, and is a textbook, factory made, enlisted issue type. The factory applied field gray paint is a beautiful light green shade, the same as that used on helmets of the era. This buckle does not appear to have ever been issued or worn. Virtually all of the original paint is still present on the obverse, with just a slight hint of patina. The reverse of this WW1 EM Buckle is flawless. The catch for the belt hook is spot welded in place as is correct. The steel roller bar and prongs assembly is perfect, with all of the original paint. There is no maker marking. This buckle is an outstanding survivor that would be difficult to upgrade. The condition rates as near mint.

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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