Original Item: Only One Available. This is a very rare totally genuine unissued 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 a lovely DAK Olive Green finish. The front of the buckle is embossed with Wehrmacht eagle and motto GOTT MIT UNS (God With Us). It shows almost no wear on the front, with no wear through or other issues. The reverse shows just a bit more wear, mainly near the belt clip loop. Also, the the length adjustment claw shows some paint loss and oxidation.

The belt is marked with a partial H.A. / 42 by the retaining loop, indicating manufacture by Hermann Aurich of Dresden, Germany. As it was made after 1941, this buckle most likely never had a leather tab, as they were removed from the official design in that year.

The excellent unissued DAK olive tan colored web belt has a web tab with the usual double row of seven holes for length adjustment. The olive tan end stitching on both ends is still in great shape, and the belt measures 37 inches in overall length. It is marked either 98 or 86 on the buckle end, which is probably a 98 for 98cm or 38.6 inches. The other end near the painted steel clip has an unclear maker mark, under which it is clearly dated 1942.

Overall a great 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.