HJ Buckle – Assmann & Overhoff Marked

Product Description: This HJ Buckle is a really attractive and interesting example, featuring double maker marks. It’s the standard pattern worn by members of the Hitler Youth, and is made of plated steel. The front of the buckle shows virtually no evident wear, with loads of crisp detail. The plated finish retains great original luster, with only extremely slight age patina. The reverse of the buckle also has near-perfect plating. There is no indication this belt was ever issued or worn. The catch for the belt hook is intact, and the plated steel roller bar and prongs assembly is complete and functional, with just a trace of rust in a few small spots. This HJ Buckle is well marked near the catch. It’s marked with the stylized “A” and “A&S” maker marks of Assmann in Lüdenscheid, as well as “ges. gesch.” indicating a legally trademarked design. It’s also marked with “Overhoff & Cie.” for the firm of Overhoff, also in Lüdenscheid. This is a desirable and uncommon buckle, that 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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