Original Items: Very Few Available. Here we have a very nice lightly used WWII German NSDAP Leibriemenschloß für Politische Leiter (Belt Buckle for Political Leader). It shows only light wear, with some removal of the gold finish, and some overall light dirt and staining.

The circular Political Leader’s buckle was introduced in 1940, a double open-claw buckle having been used prior to that. Prior to 1934, the SA Belt and buckle were used, but after 1940 this more ornate buckle was used. Each is constructed of gold-washed injection molded aluminum, and has a spread-winged NSDAP eagle with a wreathed, mobile swas (hook cross) in its talons. Encircling the eagle is a wreath of oak leaves, which the eagle’s wings extend into. The reverse of the buckle is concave, and has the buckle catch, which on the other end is crimped around the rectangular keeper. The outside of the keeper has an embossed oak leaf motif, while the inside has the claw for attaching to the buckle.

The back of the buckle is marked with an RZM circle and with the code M4 / 46. 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 buckles, and registrant 46 is Wilhelm Schröder & Co., of Lüdenscheid, a German city which had a large number of companies who made buckles, buttons, and other clothing items.

Ready to add to your German Belt Buckle Collection!