N003895 HEER/LUFTWAFFE OFFICER'S BELT & OPEN CLAW BELT BUCKLE. (Koppel und Zweidornschnalle für Offizier)

BACKGROUND: Military belts and their corresponding buckles date back centuries and were initially designed for attaching swords and daggers. 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. The belt with open claw belt buckle was original worn during the Weimar Reichswehr era and continued into the Third Reich with minor modifications enacted in May 1934. The open claw belt buckle was authorized for wear by almost all political and military organizations during the Third Reich period with a variety of different institution dates. When worn by political personnel the buckle color was to match the button color of the uniform worn and when worn by military personnel the buckle color reflected Company and Field Grade or General Grade Officer ranks with silver for the Company and Field Grade ranks and gold for General Grade Officer ranks. 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. The German’s concern with leather shortages was evident as early as September 1939 when issue of the traditional tall leather marching boot was restricted to personnel serving in the field. During the war further leather shortages resulted in additional regulations that limited or restricted leather usage and included the narrowing of the standard 60mm, (2 1/2"), wide Officer’s leather belts to 45mm, (1 3/4"). The cross strap was also a carryover from the Weimar Reichsheer era and was intended for wear by Officers and Officials with equivalent Officer’s ranks with the Field, Service, Guard, and Reporting dress and as an optional item with the Undress uniform. On May 18TH 1934 a new slightly modified belt and cross strap were introduced for Officer’s. On September 20TH 1939 wear of the cross straps was abolished for all Officers of the field army and further regulations of November 29TH 1939 abolished the cross straps of all officers. In 1941 the cross strap was reintroduced as an insignia of position for Train Commanders and Railway Station Guards.

PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION: Nice quality, early, roughly, 58mm wide, 115CM long, brown leather belt with a silver washed, open rectangular, dual claw, cast alloy construction belt buckle. The buckle is secured to the belt by a folded over section that is machine stitched to the reverse of the belt. The opposite end of the belt has a pointed tip and seven pair of punched, parallel, length adjustment buckling eyelets. Version with “built in” D-Ring. Nicely maker marked and dated for 1941.

GRADE ****1/4                             PRICE $238.00

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