Green-Grey German Luftschutz EM Buckle

Product Description: This German Luftschutz EM Buckle is an outstanding example of this hard to find buckle type. It’s made of stamped steel. The surface retains most of the original factory applied green-gray painted finish. Light, even wear reveals the gleam of bare steel in some small areas at the high points of the design. There is a nice old patina as well as some normal scattered marks from use. The protected reverse retains virtually all of the paint. This German Luftschutz EM Buckle features a textbook spot welded catch, and is complete and unrepaired, with a functional roller bar and prongs assembly for affixing it to a belt. It’s maker marked near the catch with the initials “GB” indicating manufacture by the firm of Gustav Brehmer, in Markneukirchen.This is a fine buckle, with a very appealing look. The condition rates as excellent plus.

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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