Original Item: Only One Available. This is a very nice WWI Imperial German M1895 Prussian Belt Buckle (Koppelschloß) with correct leather belt. This buckle features two-piece brass and nickel/silver construction, with a 45mm, slightly convex, stamped metal box buckle, with an attached Nickle Silver Prussian insignia. This features the Prussian Crown,  encompassed by a dual rope-like border within which, against a ribbed background, is the motto Gott Mit Uns (God [is] With Us), and a spray of laurels. To the reverse is its raised buckle catch, and a metal prong bar with dual prongs, for the belt’s retaining tongue.

The buckle is in very good condition, with a nice patina of age, but not excessive oxidation. A very attractive display piece that still retains all of the detail on the insignia.

The belt itself measures 39” when fully extended, and is marked 98, which would be the length in cm. The leather is definitely worn, and is very stiff. It has been rubbed down with neatsfoot oil and conditioner to attempt to soften it up, but it is still quite stiff.

History of German/Prussian Belt Buckles:

First introduced in 1847, the design of the buckle remained virtually unchanged until 1918. After January of 1915, these buckles, which were also used by the Prussian-dominated states of Baden, Oldenburg, Hansa and Thuringia, were made of zinc-plated sheet iron. Originally the box buckles came in a 50mm, (roughly 2 inches), width until 1895 when the width was reduced to 45mm, (roughly 1 3/4 inches), in an attempt to lighten the weight load of the field gear. Initially the buckles were produced of brass with a nickel/silver face plate until 1914 when steel construction buckles were introduced.