Original Item: Only One Available. This is an very good condition WWII German Wehrmacht (Heer) EM/NCO’s Belt Buckle (Koppelschloß). The Buckle design features a smooth outer field with central, high relief, embossed Wehrmacht eagle with down swept wings to slightly domed center, encompassed by an oak-leaf cluster to bottom and bears the Heer motto GOTT MIT UNS, (God with us), on the top. The oak-leaf cluster and script are on a ribbed background and encircled by an inner and outer simulated twisted rope border. This is a very nice field grey painted steel construction box buckle with a smooth background. The buckle is in very good condition, with most of the original paint, and a great “broken in look”.
The back of the buckle is nicely stamped with maker mark H.A. / 42, for 1942 production by H. Arld of Nuremberg, Germany, a somewhat rare maker. The buckle also still retains its original leather pull tab, which has a faint maker marking:
H. ARLD
1942
NUERNBERG
The heather of the pull tab is in very good shape, with no tears and a lovely light brown color. It does show creases and wear, but is still quite supple.
Overall condition is very good, with an exceptional eye appeal!
On January 24TH 1936 a new pattern Enlisted Men and Non-Commissioned Officer’s belt buckle was officially introduced to replace the previously worn Weimar era Reichsheer buckle. The basic design of the Reichsheer buckle was retained with the addition of the new Wehrmacht style national eagle. This pattern buckle was worn through-out the Third Reich period with minor manufacturing variations.