Item Description
Original 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.
German 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.
"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.
"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.
"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.
This example offered in very good condition features a GOTT MIT UNS (God [is] with us) Imperial German issue Prussian Brass Belt Buckle with Nickel Emblem, with its correct original leather belt. It has seen use, so the buckle front emblem is worn, but still legible. Attached to this belt are more items that we have ever seen attached to a single belt!
It features 29 items in total, 19 of which are buttons from various countries, states, and so forth. There also are a good number of German Kockarden (cockades) from caps, and even one from a pickelhaube. There also appears to be a Polish insignia, as well as a crown, and naval insignia. The most interesting by far however is the Totenkopf (Skull) insignia, as used by the Death's Head Hussars of various countries. The items are attached by their own attachment studs, or held in place by split rings.
It measures about 36 inches in overall length and is 1 3/4 inches wide. The buckle tab has torn off partly, so the buckle will not move any further down the belt.
An extremely impressive item! Ready to display!
- This product is available for international shipping.
- Eligible for all payments - Visa, Mastercard, Discover, AMEX, Paypal & Sezzle
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