Original Item: Only One Available. This is an exceptional piece of military gear that was originally a kidney belt from Harley Davidson. What sets this belt apart is that it was personally acquired by a soldier who used it during the war. The soldier painted over the Harley "Winged" logo with the Black Cat tank destroyer insignia, which adds a unique touch to the belt. Despite the paint being retained quite well with great detail, the HD logo is still visible, making it a true collector's item. This belt is a testament to the resourcefulness and creativity of soldiers who often had to make do with what they had in the field. It is a tangible reminder of the sacrifices made during the war, and a true piece of history.

A kidney belt is a wide elastic (or leather) band that is placed around the lower torso that is intended to protect a person's internal organs from damage from either strain or shock.

Kidney belts are often worn by weightlifters, and, sometimes, by manual laborers and medical patients. They are also used by motorcyclists, especially offroad riders and those engaged in long-distance motorcycle riding, to support the lower back, and to guard against wind chill. Stuttgart physician Peter Falb has stated that the support provided for motorcyclists is purely psychological; kidneys are naturally strongly supported to the rest of the body.

The belt measures 31” in length with the belt portion having a width of 3 ½”. The central portion has the image of a black cat on treads with the paint retained quite well. Approved on September 22, 1942, the authorized shoulder sleeve insignia (SSI) for the Tank Destroyer Force was created by the staff of General Andrew Bruce, its first commanding officer. The colors of the force were black and orange. Hence, the TD patch featured a powerful black panther crushing a tank in its jaws, all on an orange disk. The tank, which in the original version of the patch had eight bogie wheels, typified an American tank, not a German version. Insignia manufacturers had problems breaking numerous needles while completing all the bogie wheels, necessitating the four-wheel variation of the SSI, most common version.

The overall condition of the belt is quite nice given the age and material. The leather is still soft and free of any extensive damage. The belt itself is still in serviceable condition though it is recommended that this be purely a display item to better preserve the history.

A lovely example ready for further research and display.