Original German WWII Early RLB EM/NCO Leather Belt and Plated Brass Buckle – Rare Original Items

Original Item: Only One Available. This is a very nice WWII German Early First Pattern (Circa 1933-May 1937) RLB EM/NCO’s box Belt Buckle (Koppelschloß) with correct leather belt.

Condition of the buckle is very good, with the brass retaining most of the silver wash. The buckle is of die stamped brass alloy construction, and features a pebbled outer field with a central 1927 pattern political style national eagle with out-stretched, slightly downward angled wings, clutching a  swas on a domed, pebbled, background field. This is encompassed by an embossed laurel wreath. The reverse of the buckle has the brazed buckle catch, prong bar and prongs all intact. Marked RZM and 78 PUC for Paulmann & Crone, Lüdenscheid.

The Belt is still soft and has most of the black leather finish present. Length of the belt is 41 inches overall, adjustable down to 36 inches. Overall this set is in excellent condition.

History of the RLB

The RLB was organized by Hermann Göring in 1933 as a voluntary association. Existing volunteer air raid precaution associations were forced to merge with RLB. In 1939 the RLB became a Körperschaft des öffentlichen Rechts (quasi-autonomous non-governmental organization), while in 1944 it became an affiliated organization of the NSDAP Party. It was in charge of educating and training ordinary German men and women in civil defense procedures necessary for the basic level of local self-help of the civil population against air raids. The local level was formed around air raid wardens and operated in small first intervention squads. The training include fire fighting, protection against chemical weapons, communication procedures and preparation of houses and apartments against air raids.