BACKGROUND: The standard Prussian box belt buckle was first introduced in 1847 for wear by enlisted rank personnel. Originally the box buckles came in a 50mm, (roughly 2 inches), width until 1895 when the width was reduced to 45mm, (roughly 1 3/4 inches), in an attempt to lighten the weight load of the field gear. Initially the buckles were produced of brass with a nickel/silver face plate until 1914 when steel construction buckles were introduced. This style of buckle was also used by the Prussian-dominated states of Baden, Oldenburg, Hansa and Thuringia. The belt for the field uniform was originally of tanned leather, but blackened leather was re-introduced in 1915.

PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION: Superb unissued one-piece construction Prussian belt buckle, painted field grey, as was the practice after January of 1915. The 2 3/8" x 1 7/8", slightly convex, stamped metal box buckle, features, against its plain, obverse field, a crown to its domed center, encompassed by a dual rope-like border within which, against a ribbed background, is "Gott Mit Uns" (God [is] With Us), and a spray of laurels. To the reverse is its raised buckle catch, and a metal prong bar with dual prongs, for the belt’s retaining tongue. Buckle retains app 99.9% of its original feldgrau paint. Very nice.

GRADE ****3/4                             PRICE $78.00