Item Description
Original Item: Only One Available. This is a very rare totally genuine service used condition WWII Deutsches Afrikakorps (DAK) tropical waist belt with correct EM/NCO's Steel Painted Belt Buckle (Koppelschloß). The buckle is die-stamped steel (magnetic), with an olive gray finish. The front of the buckle is embossed with Wehrmacht eagle and motto GOTT MIT UNS (God With Us). It definitely does show wear to the paint on the front, with some areas worn through, particularly on the eagle. There is a bit of oxidation, and the buckle also is slightly deformed, showing a bit of bending on both sides, making it slightly more curved than normal.
The DAK tan colored web belt has a web tab with the usual seven double vertically holes for length adjustment. The tan end stitching is fully intact, and the belt measures 33 inches in overall length. It is however marked 105 on the end, for 105cm (41.3inches). This belt has had the clip end unstitched, and then was shortened significantly by re-stitching it with much more overlap. This was done using machine stitching, so this was an arsenal level alteration. The webbing shows light staining and wear, and looks to have a faded maker marking near the end.
Overall a nice honest service used example of a very rare belt and buckle from the Deutsches Afrikakorps, DAK!
History of the German Africa Corps
The Afrika Korps or German Africa Corps (Deutsches Afrikakorps or DAK) was the German expeditionary force in Africa during the North African Campaign of World War II. First sent as a holding force to shore up the Italian defense of their African colonies, the formation fought on in Africa, under various appellations, from March 1941 until its surrender in May 1943. The unit's best known commander was Field Marshal Erwin Rommel.
The dry climate of Africa proved to be an issue with much of the standard leather field gear that the German Army usually used. It would dry out and crack quickly, and become unusable. To deal with this, the standard field gear such as belts, Y-straps, A-frames, bayonet frogs, and other items, were issued in special tropical web versions.
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- Due to legal restrictions this item cannot be shipped to Australia, France or Germany. This is not a comprehensive list and other countries may be added in the future.
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