Original Item. Only One Available. This is an outstanding piece which may have been brought back by an American soldier serving in Cuba during the Spanish-American War. This Spanish belt buckle bears the stylized number 56 denoting the 56th Spanish Infantry Battalion “Alava”, which was part of the 1st Division “Manzanillo” within the 4th Corps, led by General Linares. The 56th Battalion fought heavily in Cuba during the Spanish American War.

The proper Spanish name for the Battalion is Batallón de Cazadores de Álava No. 56. The battalion was part of the large Spanish expeditionary force that fought Cuban independence forces and later the U.S. Army. In 1898, the battalion would have been engaged in skirmishes and major engagements against Cuban and U.S. forces, such as the battles around Santiago de Cuba. A significant number of casualties among Spanish troops came not from battle, but from widespread disease outbreaks, including typhoid and yellow fever.

The buckle is in fair condition but shows heavy service wear.

The buckle was purchased from Bannerman’s in roughly 1955, giving it great provenance as an original piece. Comes ready for further research and display!