{"product_id":"original-imperial-german-wwi-hate-belt-with-gott-mit-uns-prussian-buckle-23-attached-items","title":"Original Imperial German WWI Hate Belt with Gott Mit Uns Prussian Buckle \u0026 23 Attached Items","description":"\u003cp\u003eOriginal Item: One-of-a-kind. American soldiers were known for their love of souvenirs in the Great War; So, a lot of material history of the war came across the Atlantic with returning soldiers. Among collectors of military memorabilia from World War One \"HATE BELTS\" are items of interest.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eGerman soldiers' leather belts, and other belts from participating armies, that were festooned with buttons from soldiers uniforms are called Hate Belts \/ Souvenir Belts \/ Grave Digger Belts. These made for excellent collector's pieces.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\"Hate Belt\": the idea was that if a German soldier had killed or captured an Allied soldier, then he would have the button from the newly deceased or captured soldier attached to his belt as a kind of notch of conquest on his belt. This, no doubt, is the most intriguing explanation for those decorative belts. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\"Souvenir Belt\": this description is apt for many of the belts that are in circulation today. The souvenir belt would involve a German infantryman's belt being decorated with buttons and tabs from troops BOTH Allied and CENTRAL Powers and kept as a remembrance of The War. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\"Grave Digger Belt\" description is self explanatory, to a degree. Troops burying dead soldiers would sometimes remove buttons from those they buried as a remembrance. It is impossible to determine the origin of most belts, but some of these highly collectible belts provide some hints as to their origin. Nevertheless, these belts provide for excellent points of interest for collectors.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis example offered in very good condition features a \u003cstrong\u003eGOTT MIT UNS \u003c\/strong\u003e(God [is] with us) Imperial German issue Prussian Brass Belt Buckle with Nickel Emblem, with its correct original leather belt. It has seen use, but the emblem on the buckle is still fully legible, with only minor wear. The belt has however gotten a bit stiff over the years, and the leather has some cracking.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt features 23 items in total, however this belt definitely at some point had far more, and we can see at least 20 locations where items were attached, but were removed.  \u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e10 of \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003ethe remaining items\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e are buttons from various countries, states, and so forth. There is a button from the Royal Canadian \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eLORD STRATHCONA'S HORSE\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e regiment, as well as the \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003ePRINCE OF WALES WEST YORKSHIRE\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e regiment. There also are a good number of German \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eKockarden\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e (cockades) from caps, mostly the standard Imperial German Tricolor. The items are attached by their own attachment studs, or held in place by split rings.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt measures about 40 inches in overall length and is 1 3\/4 inches wide. The buckle tab is still intact, so the buckle can be moved if desired.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAn extremely impressive item! Ready to display!\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Original Items","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":39254988521541,"sku":"ONSV10621","price":350.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1524\/1342\/products\/ONSV10621__01.jpg?v=1615011048","url":"https:\/\/www.ima-usa.com\/products\/original-imperial-german-wwi-hate-belt-with-gott-mit-uns-prussian-buckle-23-attached-items","provider":"International Military Antiques","version":"1.0","type":"link"}