BACKGROUND: In 1869 Wilhelm I introduced a new brocade belt and belt buckle for wear by naval Officer’s with the formal evening dress, dress, parade and walking out uniforms and the full dress and service dress on special occasions. In 1902 Wilhelm II altered the dress buckle by the adding his "W" monogram cypher superimposed over the fouled anchor.

PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION: Roughly, 2.5" diameter, die struck alloy construction Line Officer’s belt buckle with a fire gilted finish. The buckle features a high relief, embossed, overlapping, laurel leaf wreath outer edge encompassing an embossed, vertical, fouled anchor, on a slightly domed, horizontally ribbed field. The "W" monogram cypher is superimposed over the fouled anchor. Just above the anchor is the Imperial crown. The outer edge of the buckle conforms to the shape of the laurel leaves. The buckle retains most of its fire gilted finish and is still very clean and bright. The buckle has no visible manufacturers markings. Buckle comes with its original keep end for the belt. There is a double prong bar attached to one end indicating it may have been worn on a leather belt at one time.

GRADE ***3/4                             PRICE $352.00