Condition: Near Mint
Maker: Overhoff & Cie
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Product Description: This DRK Red Cross Belt and Buckle is an outstanding set. The aluminum Rotes Kreuz buckle features the DRK organizational emblem within a wreath on a pebbled field, and is in incredible, near mint condition, with virtually no wear to the obverse. All of the crisp original detail is present. The reverse of the buckle is complete, and is covered with field gray paint that shows just a few scratches from the hook of the belt. It’s well marked, with “Ges. Gesch.” indicating a legally protected design, and the maker mark “OLC” in a diamond indicating manufacture by the firm of Overhoff & Cie. in Lüdenscheid. This gorgeous buckle is complete with its original leather belt. The belt itself measures 44” long, and has the size mark “108” on the tip end (108cm is about 43 inches). The belt is also marked with a DRK property ink stamp that reads “Deutsches Rotes Kreuz Sanitätsgruppe Wiershausen,” indicating this set was issued by a Red Cross medical group in Wiershausen. The hook on the belt is made of aluminum, and is pristine, with all of the original stitching intact. The belt shows only very minor scratches, and nearly all of the original surface is intact. This DRK Red Cross Belt and Buckle is a choice piece, in near mint overall 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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