Original Items: Only One Available. This is a very nice & rare WWII German NSDAP Leibriemenschloß für Politische Leiter (Belt Buckle for Political Leader), with the correct thick leather belt, cross strap, and saber hanger. 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.

The buckle is constructed of gold washed aluminum, and has a spread-winged NSDAP eagle with a wreathed, mobile swas 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 buckle shows light use, with just a bit of wear to the gold wash on the edges and contact points. The opposite clasp is also in great shape, showing just a bit of wear.

The back of the buckle is marked with an ((RZM)) circle and with the code M4/24, for Friedrich Linden of Lüdenscheid, a city with a very large garment accessories industry. . The opposite clasp is marked on the back RZM M4/46, for Wilhelm Schröder & Co. , also of Lüdenscheid. The Reichszeugmeisterei, or RZM, 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 belt itself has a great embossing mark next to the opposite clasp, reading RZM KERNSTÜCK L2/2189/36, which we unfortunately cannot identify. The cross strap also has a great maker mark on both leather attachments, for HAKENSTERN, with the strap buckle marked with OLC in a diamond, for Overhoff & Cie. of Lüdenscheid, who produced numerous clothing accessories, belt hardware and buckles in particular. There are no size markings on the belt, but the belt itself measures roughly 47” long.

This is the first NSDAP belt with a cross strap and saber hanger that we have offered. They do not come up very often, so don’t miss this one. Comes ready for further research and display.