{"product_id":"original-german-wwii-rare-tropical-afrikakorps-dak-web-belt-with-1941-dated-steel-buckle-by-noelle-hueck-size-80","title":"Original German WWII Rare Tropical Afrikakorps DAK Web Belt with 1941 Dated Steel Buckle by Noelle \u0026 Hueck - Size 80","description":"\u003cp\u003eOriginal Item: Only One Available. This is a very attractive WWII German tropical waist belt of the type associated with the \u003cem\u003eDeutsches Afrikakorps \u003c\/em\u003e(DAK), complete with the correct Heer EM\/NCO steel belt buckle (\u003cem\u003eKoppelschloß\u003c\/em\u003e). The combination of the tan web construction and painted steel fittings was well suited to tropical service, where conventional leather equipment could suffer badly from heat and dry conditions.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe buckle is of die-stamped magnetic steel construction and retains a very appealing olive green painted finish. The face displays the standard Wehrmacht eagle surrounded by the motto \u003cstrong\u003eGOTT MIT UNS\u003c\/strong\u003e (\"\u003cem\u003eGod [is] With Us\u003c\/em\u003e\"). The original finish remains quite well preserved, showing only light service wear.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe reverse of the buckle is clearly maker marked:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eN\u0026amp;H 1941\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis identifies the manufacturer as \u003cstrong\u003eNoelle \u0026amp; Hueck of Lüdenscheid\u003c\/strong\u003e. The tropical belt itself is constructed from sturdy tan webbing and remains in very good condition. It retains the characteristic woven adjustment tab with its double row of holes, as well as the original stitching at the ends. The buckle end of the belt is stamped \u003cstrong\u003e80\u003c\/strong\u003e, indicating its nominal military size designation. Interestingly, when measured the belt is closer to \u003cstrong\u003e76 cm\u003c\/strong\u003e in overall length, a discrepancy worth noting for accuracy and likely resulting from the way the belt was originally sized, finished, or subsequently contracted over the decades.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe webbing displays only modest age and service wear, with some minor fraying at the end and light oxidation to the painted steel fittings. Overall, the belt has a very pleasing, untouched appearance, while the buckle retains particularly strong detail and finish.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHistory of the German Afrika Korps\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe Deutsches Afrikakorps, better known as the Afrika Korps or DAK, was the German expeditionary formation sent to North Africa during the Second World War. It arrived in early 1941 to support Italian forces following British successes against the Italian position in Libya. German forces continued fighting in North Africa under several organizational designations until the final Axis surrender in Tunisia in May 1943. The formation is most closely associated with its best-known commander, Field Marshal Erwin Rommel.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNorth Africa's extreme heat and dry climate created significant problems for conventional European field equipment, particularly leather items that could dry, stiffen, and crack. As a result, German forces employed a range of specially manufactured tropical equipment using woven webbing in place of leather. Tropical versions of waist belts, Y-straps, A-frames, bayonet frogs, and other field equipment were produced for troops serving in Mediterranean and North African theaters.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Original Items","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":45588850638917,"sku":"ONSV26JOS074","price":550.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1524\/1342\/files\/48B6F10A-B536-430D-9E76-8A8D65B4EB7B.jpg?v=1787597842","url":"https:\/\/www.ima-usa.com\/products\/original-german-wwii-rare-tropical-afrikakorps-dak-web-belt-with-1941-dated-steel-buckle-by-noelle-hueck-size-80","provider":"International Military Antiques","version":"1.0","type":"link"}