Wartime SS Overhoff Buckle

Product Description: This is a very attractive and desirable Wartime SS Overhoff Buckle. It’s a wartime type, enlisted/NCO issue, made of stamped steel that was coated with zinc. It still retains some of the original silver “radiator paint” finish. The buckle shows wear and aging, and remains in excellent condition. The front bears the standard SS eagle design, with the slogan “Meine Ehre heißt Treue”- My Honor is Loyalty. The reverse has the expected spot-welded steel catch, and a functional belt attachment prong setup. There are some typical minor scratches on the back from being worn on a belt. This Wartime SS Overhoff Buckle is unmarked, but this variant was manufactured by Overhoff & Cie, Lüdenscheid. The Wartime SS Overhoff Buckle is among the most sought-after of the enlisted military issue buckle types intended for field and combat use. This one is really nice.

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.

We are the leading team of military antique specialists. We have specialized in military antiques for over 25 years.

Epic Artifacts offers free evaluations and the highest prices available for your collectibles.

We purchase single items, entire collections, or family estates.

Feel free to email us directly: info@epicartifacts.com