Original German Pre-WWII SA Small Eagle Variant Belt Buckle- Koppelschloß Original Items

Original Item: Only One Available.

The SA, “Sturmabteilung” (storm-troops), were originally formed in august of 1921 as a protective guard unit for the political leaders of the fledgling NSDAP party. As with the NSDAP, “Nationalsozialistische Deutsche Arbeiterpartei” (national-socialist German worker’s-party), the SA was structured along para-military lines. Most of its recruits were from the ranks of the various “Freikorps” groups of the day, composed mainly of disgruntled ex-soldiers, and they were first utilized at a NSDAP party meeting in Munich in November of 1921.

The SA pattern box buckle was the first belt buckle to be introduced by the NSDAP, with its estimated introductory dates ranging between 1921 and 1923. On its introduction it was not fully standardized and came in at least five variations. The SA pattern buckle was originally worn by other NSDAP organizations including the SS, the NSKK, the NSBO, and political leaders. The SA box buckle was officially replaced by the rectangular, open frame, dual claw buckle in April of 1934, and was to be discontinued in 1936, although it was still widely worn.

This buckle measuring approximately 2.5” x 2”, slightly convex, brass SA roundel soldered onto the polished brass body. The roundel is a plain field upon which is an embossed, political-style national eagle clutching the laurel surround to a mobile swas on a slightly domed, plain field. The eagle’s head falls on the inside of a ribbed border with simulated twisted rope trim to its inner and outer edges. The ribbed border has a spray of oak leaves to its base, with the eagle’s wings extending into it at the top. To the reverse features a raised buckle catch, and a prong bar with dual prongs, for the belt’s retaining tongue. Unmarked. Shows the expected age and use making this a very scarce small eagle variant.