Original Item: Only One Available. This is a very good condition WWII German Wehrmacht Luftwaffe EM/NCO's Belt Buckle (Koppelschloß), with the correct black leather belt, both dated 1942. The buckle is embossed with the wartime Luftwaffe straight tail eagle on a pebbled central field, surrounded by a laurel leaf wreath. The buckle is of 1940 pattern, die stamped, steel construction, with a dark blue/grey painted finish, which is retained at about 60% on the obverse, while the reverse shows over 85% still intact. There is some denting and oxidation to the front, as expected from a buckle that saw service in a wa.

The leather tab is still present, though definitely a bit worn and folded from use and age. It is nicely maker stamped inside a small shield design with:

The black leather belt itself measures about 35” when fully extended, and is in very good condition, showing only light wear to the black exterior. The buckle end is stamped with 88 for 88cm (34.6in.), and the clip end of the belt is marked with bmd / 42 for 1942 production by Max G. Müller of Nürnberg O. in Bavaria, who was known leathermaker of the time that produced holsters, saddles and other leather goods. It still has the leather tab with a double row of 7 holes for attaching the buckle and size adjustment, and is still quite supple.

Overall a great example of a wartime issue Luftwaffe leather waist belt with a lovely service used condition painted steel buckle. Ready to display!

The Luftwaffe, the air force of the German military during the Third Reich, was established in 1935. Over the next 10 years, Luftwaffe troops wore a huge variety of uniforms. Enlisted men generally wore uniforms issued from military depots. Most enlisted soldiers had wool trousers and a short jacket with two internal lower pockets, called a Fliegerbluse, as well as a dressier 4-pocket tunic, the Tuchrock. Officers wore the same general uniform styles, but as officers had to supply their own uniforms, they usually wore tailor made versions. There were also myriad varieties of specialized uniforms worn by certain units or in specific situations, from the tuxedo-style “gala” formal wear uniform of the pre-war period, to the plain coveralls worn by crews of anti-aircraft cannons. There were work uniforms, tropical and summer uniforms, and camouflage clothing for airborne troops and other Luftwaffe soldiers in ground combat. Flight crews had their own specialized gear, including leather jackets and warm, electrically heated suits. Most but not all Luftwaffe uniform jackets bore the Luftwaffe emblem of a flying eagle holding a swas.