L005892 EM/NCO'S TROPICAL BELT.

BACKGROUND: Military belts and their corresponding buckles date back centuries and were initially designed for attaching swords and daggers. In 1847 a new innovative box buckle with a quick release catch and corresponding leather belt were introduced which resulted in a Prussian Hauptmann Virschow initiating a new method of carrying personal equipment with the belt and shoulder straps supporting the majority of the weight. This system, with modifications, remains in use in most of the army’s in the world to this day. During the Third Reich there was a prescribed form of wear of the belt and buckle with the buckle being positioned on the right side and the corresponding buckle catch on the left side. In late 1940, with the impending German entrance into the North African campaign, tropical uniforms and equipment were quickly developed and issued by the army in time for DAK, Deutsches Afrika Korps, (German Africa Corps), personnel’s arrival in Tripoli in February 1941. At the same time the Luftwaffe also developed and introduced their own version of the tropical uniform and equipment independently from the other branches of service. One of the items introduced was the canvas web construction waist belt as it was deemed the webbing would be more durable then the leather in the dry hot tropical climate. Eventually, due to leather shortages, many of the tropical uniform and equipment items would be issued to personnel serving in southern areas of continental Europe and other theatres of battle. The Luftwaffe’s version of the tropical web belt was basically identical to the army version but was in a light tan color as opposed to the olive drab coloration utilized by the army.

PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION: Rare, blue grey canvas web construction belt with a field-grey painted steel buckle catch and a tan web buckle retaining tongue. The buckle catch end of the belt is folded over and machine stitched to the reverse to secure the catch in place. Roughly 86cm in length (Shortend).

GRADE ****                                                         PRICE $

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