Original Item: Only One Available. This is a very rare totally genuine service used condition WWII Deutsches Afrikakorps (DAK) tropical waist belt with correct EM/NCO's Steel Painted Belt Buckle (Koppelschloß). The buckle is die-stamped steel (magnetic), with a lovely DAK Olive Green finish. The front of the buckle is embossed with Wehrmacht eagle and motto GOTT MIT UNS (God With Us). It shows only light wear to the paint on the front, with just a few areas worn through, particularly on the eagle and motto. The the reverse of the buckle is nicely stamped with maker mark R. S. & S., for R. Sieper & Söhne of Lüdenscheid, Germany, a city with a very large garment accessories industry.

The very good condition DAK olive colored web belt has a black leather tab with the usual double row of seven holes for length adjustment, which is a bit stiff due to age. The buckle end has a leather end stitching protector, which is partly worn through on one side, while the other end is secured by olive thread. The belt measures 41 inches in overall length, and is marked 80 on the buckle end, for 80cm. The belt shows some wear and staining, so this definitely saw some real use during the war! There is a maker mark for the belt on the end for Joseph Moll of Goch.

Overall a great used example of a very rare belt and buckle from the Deutsches Afrikakorps, DAK!

History of the German Africa Corps

The Afrika Korps or German Africa Corps (German: Deutsches Afrikakorps, DAK) was the German expeditionary force in Africa during the North African Campaign of World War II. First sent as a holding force to shore up the Italian defense of their African colonies, the formation fought on in Africa, under various appellations, from March 1941 until its surrender in May 1943. The unit's best known commander was Field Marshal Erwin Rommel.

The dry climate of Africa proved to be an issue with much of the standard leather field gear that the German Army usually used. It would dry out and crack quickly, and become unusable. To deal with this, the standard field gear such as belts, Y-straps, A-frames, bayonet frogs, and other items, were issued in special tropical web versions.