Germany, Wehrmacht. A Wehrmacht Belt Buckle, Undedicated Version

(Wehrmacht Gürtelschnalle). Constructed of pebbled magnetic metal, the reverse with a loop and dual attachment prongs, unmarked, measuring 64 mm (w) x 48 mm (h), in overall better than very fine condition.

Footnote: As per Peter Nash’s “German Belt Buckles: 1845-1945” (2003), pages 485-488, Heer troops were pictured as early as 1939 wearing plain belt buckles. While much speculation exists regarding their origins, it is widely believed that they were surplus Reichsheer buckles, and may have also been utilized by the Condor Legion. In both cases, the increase of German forces in the field necessitated equipment that surpassed the production capacity of existing German industries, resulting in the use of surplus items.