Original Item: Only One Available. This is a very good condition WWII German Wehrmacht Luftwaffe EM/NCO's Belt Buckle (Koppelschloß), with the correct black leather belt, both dated 1943. The buckle is embossed with the wartime Luftwaffe straight tail eagle on a pebbled central field, surrounded by a wreath. The buckle is of 1940 pattern, die stamped, steel construction, with a dark blue/grey painted finish, which is retained at close to 100%. It shows little to no wear from service, with just a bit of paint loss on the back edges, and some minor oxidation.

The buckle is dated 43 under the attachment claw, and it is stamped EC by the clip loop, for maker Ebberg & Co. of Lüdenscheid. This is a somewhat seldom seen maker, and this is the first item of any type we have had from this maker. As it is a post 1941 example, it most likely never had a leather tab.

The black leather belt itself measures about 40” when fully extended, and is in very good condition, showing moderate wear to the black exterior. The buckle end is stamped 105 for 105cm (41.3in.), and next to this is a small 1943 date and RB.Nr. maker marking of 0/0556/0087. It still has the leather tab with a double row of 7 holes for attaching the buckle and size adjustment, and is still quite supple

Overall a very good example of a wartime issue Luftwaffe leather waist belt with a fantastic condition painted steel buckle. Ready to display!

The Luftwaffe, the air force of the German military during the Third Reich, was established in 1935. Over the next 10 years, Luftwaffe troops wore a huge variety of uniforms. Enlisted men generally wore uniforms issued from military depots. Most enlisted soldiers had wool trousers and a short jacket with two internal lower pockets, called a Fliegerbluse, as well as a dressier 4-pocket tunic, the Tuchrock. Officers wore the same general uniform styles, but as officers had to supply their own uniforms, they usually wore tailor made versions. There were also myriad varieties of specialized uniforms worn by certain units or in specific situations, from the tuxedo-style “gala” formal wear uniform of the pre-war period, to the plain coveralls worn by crews of anti-aircraft cannons. There were work uniforms, tropical and summer uniforms, and camouflage clothing for airborne troops and other Luftwaffe soldiers in ground combat. Flight crews had their own specialized gear, including leather jackets and warm, electrically heated suits. Most but not all Luftwaffe uniform jackets bore the Luftwaffe emblem of a flying eagle holding a swas.