{"product_id":"original-german-pre-wwii-heer-army-em-nco-belt-with-1936-gebruder-albert-aluminum-buckle-and-1939-furth-depot-marked-leather-belt","title":"Original German Pre WWII Heer Army EM\/NCO Belt with 1936 Gebrüder Albert Aluminum Buckle and 1939 Fürth Depot Marked Leather Belt","description":"\u003cp\u003eOriginal Item: Only One Available. This is a very attractive pre WWII German Heer Army EM\/NCO belt and buckle set, pairing a \u003cstrong\u003e1936\u003c\/strong\u003e dated pebbled aluminum buckle by \u003cstrong\u003eGebrüder Albert of Menden\u003c\/strong\u003e with an original black finished leather belt marked to the \u003cem\u003eBekleidungsamt Fürth\u003c\/em\u003e clothing depot in \u003cstrong\u003eJuly 1939\u003c\/strong\u003e. The buckle retains its scarce maker marked leather tab, while the belt carries both a \u003cstrong\u003e90\u003c\/strong\u003e size marking and the depot stamp \u003cstrong\u003e7.39 B.A.Fü.\u003c\/strong\u003e. Together they form a particularly appealing early Heer field equipment set with strong prewar markings and honest service wear.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe aluminum EM\/NCO buckle, or \u003cem\u003eKoppelschloß\u003c\/em\u003e, features the standard Heer design with the motto:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cem\u003eGOTT MIT UNS\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe motto appears within a double rope border on a ribbed background surrounding the closed wing Heer eagle, with a partial oak leaf wreath at the bottom. The buckle has an attractive pebbled surface and remains in good condition overall.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eConstruction is a one piece injection molded aluminum example with a crimped reverse assembly, and the adjustment claw is likewise made from aluminum. The softer alloy shows expected surface wear from service and handling, but the relief design remains clearly defined.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe buckle was originally finished in standard Heer olive gray paint. Much of the finish has worn from the obverse through use, while the reverse still retains more than \u003cstrong\u003e60%\u003c\/strong\u003e of the original paint.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEspecially desirable is the surviving pre-1941 leather support tab, which carries a mostly clear double oval maker marking:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eGEBR. ALBERT\u003cbr\u003e1936\u003cbr\u003eMENDEN\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe tab identifies manufacture by \u003cstrong\u003eGebrüder Albert of Menden\u003c\/strong\u003e. This maker is encountered far less often than many of the larger buckle producers, and the survival of the marked leather tab is particularly important because the buckle body itself is not maker marked.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe leather tab shows age, wrinkling, and use, with approximately \u003cstrong\u003e75%\u003c\/strong\u003e of the stitching still intact.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe accompanying leather belt remains in very good condition and measures approximately \u003cstrong\u003e37”\u003c\/strong\u003e when fully extended. The interior retains an attractive natural brown leather color, while the exterior has a worn black finish consistent with service use.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe buckle end is marked:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e90\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis indicates an original nominal length of \u003cstrong\u003e90cm\u003c\/strong\u003e, or approximately \u003cstrong\u003e35.4in\u003c\/strong\u003e. The present overall length of about 37 inches suggests that the leather may have stretched somewhat during use and over time.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe belt retains its correct sewn leather adjustment tab with a double row of seven holes. The stitching in this area has pulled somewhat but remains largely present. An aluminum belt hook is fitted at the opposite end.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe inside of the belt is additionally depot marked:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e7.39 B.A.Fü.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis marking indicates processing in \u003cstrong\u003eJuly 1939\u003c\/strong\u003e through the \u003cem\u003eBekleidungsamt Fürth\u003c\/em\u003e, or Fürth Clothing Depot, located in northern Bavaria near Nuremberg. The depot stamp adds an especially interesting administrative detail and helps place the belt firmly within the prewar Heer supply system.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFor the German field equipment or Heer collector, this is a particularly attractive early belt and buckle set. The scarce \u003cstrong\u003eGebrüder Albert \/ 1936 \/ Menden\u003c\/strong\u003e leather tab, strong surviving reverse paint, pebbled aluminum buckle, \u003cstrong\u003e90\u003c\/strong\u003e size marking, and clear \u003cstrong\u003e7.39 B.A.Fü.\u003c\/strong\u003e depot stamp give the set excellent collector interest. The wear to the buckle finish, wrinkling to the maker tab, pulled adjustment stitching, and general leather use are all fully consistent with age and service and contribute to the appealing original character of the piece.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Original Items","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46016597884997,"sku":"ONSV26CC050","price":395.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1524\/1342\/files\/E7129EBE-D962-421D-A565-21004886CC2D.jpg?v=1792180965","url":"https:\/\/www.ima-usa.com\/products\/original-german-pre-wwii-heer-army-em-nco-belt-with-1936-gebruder-albert-aluminum-buckle-and-1939-furth-depot-marked-leather-belt","provider":"International Military Antiques","version":"1.0","type":"link"}