Original German WWII Army Heer Officers 45mm Preßstoff Faux Leather Open Claw Buckle Belt – RZM L2/1/40 Original Items

Original Item: Only One Available. The belt with open claw belt buckle was original worn during the Weimar Reichswehr era and continued into the Third Reich with minor modifications enacted in May 1934. The open claw belt buckle was authorized for wear by almost all political and military organizations during the Third Reich period with a variety of different institution dates. When worn by political personnel the buckle color was to match the button color of the uniform worn and when worn by military personnel the buckle color reflected Company and Field Grade or General Grade Officer ranks with silver for the Company and Field Grade ranks and gold for General Grade Officer ranks. 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.

The German’s concern with leather shortages was evident as early as September 1939 when issue of the traditional tall leather marching boot was restricted to personnel serving in the field. During the war further leather shortages resulted in additional regulations that limited or restricted leather usage and included the narrowing of the standard 60mm, (2 1/2″), wide Officer’s leather belts to 45mm, (1 3/4″). Later in the war they also began to use Preßstoff Faux Leather in place of animal leather.

This is a lovely condition brown Wehrmacht Heer Army officer’s open claw belt, made in the wartime 45mm size and produced using Preßstoff in place of genuine leather. It features a standard non-magnetic buckle, which looks to be silvered zinc alloy, probably used to save supplies of aluminum. It conforms exactly to the pattern, and is maker marked on the back by the buckle with (RZM) L2/1/40. It also has a faint 110 stamp on the opposite end, for 110cm (43.3 inches). We measured it, and it is adjustable approximately from 39 to 46 inches.

The belt shows little sign of use, however over time the Preßstoff material has become stiff, and the surface on both sides is now wrinkled, and the belt is difficult to straighten out. We do not recommend trying to straighten it, as this would most likely cause damage.

Overall condition is very good with an exceptional eye appeal! Ready to display!

Presstoff (also Preßstoff or Pressstoff) is the German-language term for a type of ersatz or artificial leather used during the first half of the 20th century. Made of specially layered and treated paper pulp, Presstoff was durable and easily adapted to be used in place of leather, which under wartime conditions was rationed. First invented in the 19th century, it gained its widest use in Germany during the Second World War.

Presstoff use included but was not limited to binoculars cases and straps, horse tack, bayonet frogs, equipment belts, cap visors etc. In short, Presstoff could be used in almost every application normally filled by leather, excepting items like footwear that were repeatedly subjected to flex wear and/or moisture. Under these conditions Presstoff tended to delaminate and lose cohesion.