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. 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. First introduced on May 20TH 1935, the Luftwaffe EM/NCO’s belt buckle underwent minor modifications in late 1937 or early 1938 with a new pattern eagle and again in 1940 with a slight difference in construction. Of Note: Luftwaffe personnel initially utilized brown leather accoutrements but during the war the leather items were generally blackened. Also 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 1942 discontinued the tabs to preserve leather although the directive was not completely adhered to.

PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION: Early, 1935 pattern, one piece, die struck, natural aluminum construction box buckle. The buckle features a pebbled field with an embossed, horizontally oval, laurel leaf wreath encompassing a highly domed, pebbled inner field with an embossed early "drooped-tail" style Luftwaffe eagle to the center. The reverse of the buckle is a mirror image of the obverse and has the brazed on buckle catch, prong bar and prongs all intact. Also included is a complete leather belt. Standard issue, EM/NCO's brown leather construction waist belt is roughly, 45mm (1 3/4") wide and 97cm (38") long, with a leather, buckle retaining tongue and aluminum buckle catch both intact. The buckle catch end of the belt is folded over and stitched to the reverse to secure the catch in place. The stitching has mostly pulled loose, but some is still present. The other end of the belt is squared off and the reverse of the belt is in age darkened, natural tan leather. The age darkened, natural tan leather buckle retaining tongue has its original stitching and seven pair of parallel, punched, length adjustment buckling eyelets. Belt is well marked "L.B.A.", indicating Luftwaffenbekleidungsamt, (Air-force Clothing Depot). The belt is in well used condition and the leather is still quite supple. The belt would fit sizes ranging from a roughly, 81cm (32") to 92cm (36") waist. Also included are two leather d-rings, one of which is dated 1939.