Original Item: Only One Available. This is a very rare totally genuine WWII Deutsches Afrikakorps (DAK) tropical waist belt with correct EM/NCO's Steel Painted Belt Buckle (Koppelschloß). True battle worn originals such as this example are very hard to come by.

Buckle is die-stamped steel (magnetic), with an olive drab finish. Marking on the reverse are concealed by original paint. The front of the buckle is embossed with Wehrmacht eagle and motto “Gott Mit Uns” (God With Us). About 40% of the original paint remains on the front of the buckle, while the back has almost all of the paint intact. This is definitely a buckle that saw significant use in service.

The DAK tan colored web belt has a brown leather tab with three double vertically holes for length adjustment, with the rest cut off, most likely because it got in the way. The green end stitching is intact, and the belt measures 35 inches in length. Condition of the webbing is very good, with just a bit of fraying from the belt buckle.

Overall a fantastic battle field 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.