Original Item: Only One Available. The belt with open claw belt buckle was original worn during the Weimar Reichswehr era and continued into the Third Reich with minor modifications enacted in May 1934. The open claw belt buckle was authorized for wear by almost all political and military organizations during the Third Reich period with a variety of different institution dates. When worn by political personnel the buckle color was to match the button color of the uniform worn and when worn by military personnel the buckle color reflected Company and Field Grade or General Grade Officer ranks with silver for the Company and Field Grade ranks and gold for General Grade Officer ranks. During the Third Reich there was a prescribed form of wear of the belt and buckle with the buckle being positioned on the right side.

The German’s concern with leather shortages was evident as early as September 1939 when issue of the traditional tall leather marching boot was restricted to personnel serving in the field. During the war further leather shortages resulted in additional regulations that limited or restricted leather usage and included the narrowing of the standard 60mm, (2 1/2"), wide Officer’s leather belts to 45mm, (1 3/4"). Later in the war they also began to use Preßstoff Faux Leather in place of animal leather.

This is a lovely condition early war Wehrmacht Heer Army officer's open claw belt, made from transitional 50mm width brown finished leather. It is fitted with a large brass buckle, which is marked with (RZM) M5/140, for manufacture by Wilhelm Schröder & Co., of Lüdenscheid, a city with a large garment accessories industry. The leather next to the buckle is also marked ((RZM) Kernstück / L2/1081/41, indicating 1941 manufacture. There is unfortunately no list for the RZM leather suppliers currently available.

The belt is stamped with size 90 on the narrow end, for 90cm (35.4in.) and we measured the belt, which gave us 38.5 inches from the last set of holes to the claws, so we assume the size marking is for the smallest it will fit.

The belt does show some signs of use and age, with the brown finish showing minor wrinkles, wear, and cracks, but there are no major tears or other issues. The leather is still quite supple as well, though unfortunately there is no keeper or other type of loop to secure the end of the belt at present.

Overall condition is very good with an exceptional eye appeal! Ready to display!

Of Note: In late 1934 items manufactured for the NSDAP and other organizations, including membership pins, came under the quality control of the RZM, Reichzeugmeisterei, (National Equipment Quartermaster) and as a result were marked with the RZM logo when appropriate. The registry was based at the Brown house in Munich and NSDAP party headquarters in Berlin. The RZM ensured that the manufacturers of military items were consistent in design, quality of materials and other characteristics of the items. It also defined standards of design, manufacturing and quality and published an authoritative color chart for textiles. The M5 in the code stands for "Uniform Fittings & Buttons, with Wilhelm Schröder & Co., of Lüdenscheid being contractor number 140.