Rare SS Belt & Buckle – Martin Winter

Product Description: This rare SS Belt & Buckle is a really nice original set. The buckle was made by the firm of Martin Winter in Munich, a rare maker of these buckles. It’s a nice, early example, made of nickel silver. The front of the buckle shows moderate wear from use, with some expected marks and small scratches. It’s got a pleasant and uncleaned look, with some light patina in the recesses of the design. The reverse of the buckle is well marked, with the round RZM logo and the maker code “57,” for Winter. It’s also marked with the SS runic emblem in a double circle, on the side opposite the catch. There is some green verdigris from long contact with the leather of the belt. This could be cleaned but we have left it untouched, as found. The brass catch for the belt is intact, as is the functional steel roller bar and prongs assembly. The original enlisted issue type leather belt is a textbook piece, with rough side out leather, and measures about 38″ long. The tongue for affixing the buckle is marked “CROUPON” and is affixed with all of the original stitching. The early type aluminum hook on the belt is a great match for the vintage of the buckle, and is marked with “OLC” in a diamond indicating manufacture by Overhoff. The belt is heavily worn, but remains complete and sound. Overall, this rare SS Belt & Buckle remain 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.

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