Original Item: Only One Available. This is a very nice WWII German HJ steel Belt Buckle (Koppelschloß), complete with the correct leather belt. It is embossed with the HJ motto Blut und Ehre (Blood and Honor) on a ribbed background inside a double rope border around the HJ Diamond Emblem, which is surmounted by an Eagle. The buckle is in good shape for its age but does show some loss of plating from wear, as well as light oxidation in areas. It is marked on the back with ((RZM)) and maker code M4/30, for Berg & Nolte of Lüdenscheid, a German city known for its clothing accessories industry. This company is a known maker of HJ buckles throughout the period.

The thick leather belt is in very good service used condition, with the original black finish on the exterior partly worn away, and showing overall wrinkles. The belt measures about 31 1/2” when fully extended, and has had the adjustment end mostly removed, with just the stitched on end of the adjustment tab present. This has had two holes added so the claw of the buckle has something to attach to. The belt shows relatively heavy wear so it was likely worn for a long period.

This German WWII HJ belt assembly retains its steel buckle with clear RZM and M4/30 markings for Berg & Nolte, along with its heavily worn black leather belt. The buckle shows expected plating loss and light oxidation, while the belt retains substantial finish wear, creasing, and evidence of prolonged use. Most of the original adjustment tab has been removed, and two later holes were added so the buckle could continue to fasten. These alterations are fully evident, but the buckle and belt remain a cohesive period assembly with strong maker and organizational markings.

The Reichszeugmeisterei, or RZM, was 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 M4 in the code stands for belt buckles, contractor 39 stands for firm F. W. Assmann & Söhne.

AH believed German youth to be the future of his 3rd Reich. The HJ (AH Jugend) was formed officially in 1935, and with the exception of NSDAP ideology indoctrination was very similar to the Boy Scouts. Beginning at about the age of ten years, both boys (AH Jugend) and girls (Bund Deutscher Mädel) were enlisted in the Party-run organization. The boys only were given HJ Knives after having passed minor exams. The knives had nickeled hilts with black checkered grip plates. The obverse plate was fitted with an enameled HJ swas insignia. Through 1937, these knives were etched with the motto of the organization, Blut und Ehre! (Blood and Honor!). Examples produced after this date were made with plain blades usually bearing an RZM marking.

The HJ Leaders were professionals in charge of the training and NSDAP education of the German Youth. They wore a special dagger consisting of silvered hilt fittings with blue-black leather-covered scabbard. The grip was composed of tightly wrapped silver wire, over a wood base. The pommel cap featured an HJ diamond on top, complete with swas. The upper scabbard fitting portrayed an open-winged HJ eagle with swas cut into the bird's chest. The blade was etched with the HJ motto, Blut und Ehre