Original Items: Very Few Available. This is simply fantastic! Here we have an UNISSUED WWII German NSDAP Political Leader's Belt Buckle. It still has the original RZM paper label, which read Leibriemenschloß für Politische Leiter (Belt Buckle for Political Leader) over the Hersteller (Manufacturer) contract number. It is even still wrapped in the original tissue paper! The only wear to the buckle and paper is from 80+ years of storage.

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. Each is constructed of stamped aluminum, 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 back of the buckle is marked with an RZM circle and with the code M4 / 22. The Reichszeugmeisterei, or RZM, was 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 M4 in the code stands for buckles, and registrant 22 is Christian Theodor Dicke, of Lüdenscheid, a German city which had a large number of companies who made buckles, buttons, and other clothing items.

Finding buckles in this find condition is extremely difficult. The only wear it has is from age and storage, which has removed some of the gold frosting on the edges. Ready to add to your German Belt Buckle Collection!