SS Belt Buckle – Overhoff & Cie

Product Description: This SS Belt Buckle – Overhoff is a nice example of a wartime enlisted buckle, with a “been there” look. Stamped steel SS belt buckles like this appeared in 1940 and remained in production until the end of the war. This one shows wear from use, with most of the paint worn off the obverse. There is some minor uncleaned surface corrosion which is standard on these later war type buckles. The reverse retains much of the original silver “radiator paint” finish. There is no marking, but this variant is known to have been produced by the firm of Overhoff. The spot welded catch for the belt hook and the roller bar and prongs assembly are all steel and are intact and functional. This SS Belt Buckle – Overhoff displays great on iits own and would also be perfect for a combat mannequin. The condition rates as excellent.

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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