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K020459 REICHSMARINE EM/NCO'S BELT BUCKLE WITH LEATHER TAB. (Koppelschloss mit Lederwiderhalt)
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 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 armies in the world to this day. The Weimar Reichswehr, (National Defence Force, Circa 1919-1933), era belt buckle was introduced in May 1919, for wear by EM/NCO personnel serving in both the Reichsheer, (National Army), and the Reichsmarine, (National Navy), with a different colored finish for each branch of service. Although introduced in May 1919 the Reichsmarine didn’t officially adopted the buckle until April 1921 for Marineinfanterie, (Naval Infantry), personnel followed by the balance of Reichsmarine personnel in August 1925. The buckle retained the same basic design as the Imperial German belt buckle but replaced the Imperial crown with the newly introduced national eagle. The early Reichsmarine era belt buckles were most commonly manufactured in brass or brass plated steel although assorted gilt washed alloy buckles were also produced. Of Note: On August 4TH 1936 a new pattern EM/NCO’s belt buckle was officially introduced to replace the Reichswehr belt buckles although both were worn concurrently for a short period of time. The new pattern belt buckles retained the basic design of the Reichsheer belt buckles with the addition of the new Wehrmacht, (Armed Forces), style national eagle. The buckle was identical to the Army EM/NCO’s belt buckle but with a different colored finish. Of Note: Originally military buckles produced under government contract had the addition of a leather, (canvas web for tropical buckles), tabs which were designed to help support the ammunition pouches and prevent slippage but regulations in March 1942 discontinued the tabs to preserve leather although the directive was not completely adhered to.
PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION: Standard issue, die stamped, polished, brass construction, box buckle features a smooth outer field with a high relief, embossed, Weimar style, national eagle with down-swept wings, to the slightly domed, smooth finished, center, encompassed by a laurel leaf cluster to the bottom and script, "Gott Mit Uns", (God With Us), to the top. The laurel leaf cluster and script are on a ribbed background and are encircled by both an inner and outer simulated twisted rope border. The eagle shows light to moderate chafe wear resulting in lost detailing. The buckle shows some minor surface scratching and small areas of light surface spotting. The reverse of the buckle is a mirror image of the obverse and has the brazed catch, prong bar and prongs all intact. The buckle has no visible manufacturer’s markings. The prong bar has an age and usage darkened, natural tan leather tab stitched around it. The leather tab is well marked with the faint, impressed manufacturer’s name, location and date within an oval cartouche that appears to be, "Schmolle Comp. Menden 1933". The leather tab also has a stamped, Weimar style Eagle over "M", indicating, Marine, (Navy), issue and an unknown numeral, "3".
GRADE ***1/2 PRICE $375.00
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