Original Item: Only One Available. This is an original German pre-WWII Luftwaffe EM/NCO brown leather belt dated 1937 and maker marked by Carl Hepting & Co. of Stuttgart-Feuerbach. It is fitted with an early pebbled aluminum Koppelschloß buckle displaying the distinctive droop tail Luftwaffe eagle and retains its leather adjustment tab with seven pairs of sizing holes. The belt measures approximately 35" at its longest setting and is additionally size marked 88.

The aluminum injection molded and crimped box pattern buckle has a finely pebbled face with the early Luftwaffe eagle positioned within a laurel wreath. This so called droop tail eagle is characteristic of early Luftwaffe insignia, with a tail pointing almost directly down, and differs noticeably from the later eagle pattern with a tail extended more straight out.

The buckle remains in very good condition, with the pebbling strongly retained and most of the eagle and wreath detail still clear. No maker marking is visible on the buckle itself, and no separate leather maker tab is present, so the buckle manufacturer cannot presently be identified.

The belt is made from thick brown leather with a natural leather interior and retains its leather sizing tab with seven pairs of adjustment holes.

The buckle end of the belt is stamped:

88

most likely indicating an 88cm size, approximately 34.6".

The belt is also clearly maker and date marked:

E80
CARL HEPTING & Co.
STGT. FEUERBACH
1937

identifying manufacture by Carl Hepting & Co. of Stuttgart-Feuerbach in 1937. The meaning of the E80 marking is uncertain from the supplied information and should not be expanded beyond the visible stamp without a specific reference.

Measured from the clip to the buckle loop at its longest adjustment, the belt is approximately:

35"

Overall condition is very good. The brown leather finish remains well retained, and the belt shows only light age and service wear. There are no major cracks, tears, or areas of dry rot noted. The buckle shows honest surface wear and age toning but no signs of deliberate damage.

With its 1937 date, Carl Hepting & Co. maker marking, 88 size stamp, early droop tail Luftwaffe eagle buckle, brown leather construction, and complete adjustment tab, this is a strong early Luftwaffe EM/NCO belt set. The unmarked buckle, absent leather maker tab, light leather wear, and worn aluminum finish are all fully disclosed. It would fit especially well in an early Luftwaffe uniform, EM/NCO field equipment, German belt buckle, or pre-WWII Luftwaffe collection.