Original Items: Only One Available. This is a very nice WWII German NSDAP Leibriemenschloß für Politische Leiter (Belt Buckle for Political Leader), with the correct thick leather belt. The circular Political Leader’s buckle was introduced in 1940, a double open-claw buckle having been used prior to that. Prior to 1934, the SA Belt and buckle were used, but after 1940 this more ornate buckle was used.

The buckle is constructed of gold washed aluminum, most likely bronze paint, and has a spread-winged NSDAP eagle with a wreathed, mobile swas in its talons. Encircling the eagle is a wreath of oak leaves, which the eagle’s wings extend into. The reverse of the buckle is concave, and has the buckle catch, which on the other end is crimped around the rectangular keeper. The outside of the keeper has an embossed oak leaf motif, while the inside has the claw for attaching to the buckle.

The buckle shows use, with some wear through at the edges, and it looks like the bronze in the finish has worn off and oxidized a bit, so it now has a lovely gray green patina overall, with the claw loop retaining a bit more of the original gold color. The box clip on the other end still retains the original gold color very well, and shows light use.

The back of the buckle is marked with an ((RZM)) circle and with the code M4/77, for Gebrüder Gloerfeld of Lüdenscheid, a city with a very large garment accessories industry. The opposite clasp is marked on the back RZM M4/72, for Wilhelm Deumer, also of Lüdenscheid. The Reichszeugmeisterei, or RZM, was based at the Brown house in Munich and NSDAP party headquarters in Berlin. The RZM ensured that the manufacturers of military items were consistent in design, quality of materials and other characteristics of the items. It also defined standards of design, manufacturing and quality and published an authoritative color chart for textiles.

The clip end of the belt has a maker marking and date:

((RZM)) KERNSTÜCK
L2 / 60 / 41

There is unfortunately not any listing of the leather suppliers in the RZM currently available. The belt measures 42” long and is in good shape with the color well retained, however it does show some staining as well as deformation from possible water exposure. The adjustment tab is definitely a bit stiff, and overall it definitely has dried out a bit. There is also some scuffing and cracking to the brown finish on the exterior, which looks to be mostly from storage, as the belt does not look to have seen extensive use.

Ready to add to your German Belt Collection!