Original Item: Only One Set of 4 Available. Here we have a very nice set of four Imperial German WWI EM/NCO's Buckles (Koppelschloßen), which really help show the range of various construction styles in use during "The Great War". All are the correct 45mm slightly convex stamped metal box type, with a Prussian insignia on the front. This features the Prussian Crown, encompassed by a dual rope-like border within which, against a ribbed background, is the motto GOTT MIT UNS (God [is] With Us), and a spray of laurels. To the reverse they all have attached loop buckle catches, and metal prong bar with dual prongs, for the belt’s retaining tongue.

This wonderful collector's set consists of the following:
- One M1895 Pattern Brass & Nickel Silver belt buckle, with a flat topped brass body. It is in good condition, with the insignia worn and dented in somewhat, and has had the steel pin through the securing claw replaced with a piece of wire.

- One M1895 Pattern Brass & Nickel Silver belt buckle, with a dome topped brass body. This helps to support the center of the insignia, and has definitely done its job, as while the insignia is a bit worn, it still has the correct shape.

- One M1915 Pattern 2-Piece Steel Belt Buckle, with a flat topped steel body. The insignia is a separate piece attached to the body. The buckle looks to have seen much polishing, which has removed the original oxide coating on the front.

- One M1915 Pattern Single Piece Stamped Belt buckle, overpainted olive green. This has the insignia stamped directly into the body of the buckle, a design that carried into the post war and WWII designs. It looks to have seen use post war, when it was painted over the original oxide finish.

A great set of Imperial German Prussian belt buckles, the perfect way to start your German Belt buckle collection!

History of German/Prussian Belt Buckles:

First introduced in 1847, the design of the buckle remained virtually unchanged until 1918. After January of 1915, these buckles, which were also used by the Prussian-dominated states of Baden, Oldenburg, Hansa and Thuringia, were made of zinc-plated sheet iron. Originally the box buckles came in a 50mm, (roughly 2 inches), width until 1895 when the width was reduced to 45mm, (roughly 1 3/4 inches), in an attempt to lighten the weight load of the field gear. Initially the buckles were produced of brass with a nickel/silver face plate until 1914 when steel construction buckles were introduced.