Original Item: Only One Available. This is a very good service used condition German WWII Luftwaffe EM/NCO's Belt Buckle (Koppelschloß), dated 1943. 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 Luftwaffe Fliegerblau (Flyer's Blue) dark blue/grey painted finish. This is retained at about 60% on the obverse, showing wear to the finish on the raised areas such as the eagle and wreath, as well as around the edges. The reverse retains the paint more completely, however it also has some dirt and dust that obscures this.

The buckle is dated 43 under the attachment claw, and it is stamped EC by the clip loop, for maker Ebberg & Co. of Lüdenscheid. This is a somewhat seldom seen maker, and this is only the second of any type we have had from this maker. As it is a post 1941 example, it most likely never had a leather tab.

Overall a very good used example of a wartime issue Luftwaffe painted steel belt buckle with a lovely used patina. 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.