Original German WWII Early Small SA or NSDAP-Jugend Two Piece Brass Belt Buckle - Sturmabteilung

Original Item: Only One Available. This is lovely patinated German WWII Small Size Sturmabteilung (SA) Brass Belt Buckle (Koppelschloß), probably dating from the mid-late 1920s. The buckle is 53mm by 38mm, probably made for a 35mm belt, significantly smaller than the 45mm belt used by most groups. This pattern of buckle was worn by the NSDAP Jugend, the predecessor to the HJ National Youth organization. It was formed during 1926, and at that time was administered by the SA, which at the time was the preeminent paramilitary organization within the NSDAP.

The buckle is embossed with the standard NSDAP Political eagle with downward sloping wings, perched on a wreathed "mobile" swas. Surrounding this is a double rope border, which displays a ribbed texture and an embossed oak leaf and acorn wreath at the bottom. This example has a two piece stamped brass buckle, with the insignia a separate piece soldered onto the front, and a stamped in catch. We checked the back, and there are no maker markings, but that is fairly typical for SA belt buckles.

Overall a very nice example of a hard to find WW2 German Belt Buckle with some nice research potential!

The SA, "Sturmabteilung" (Storm-troops), were originally formed in August of 1921 as a protective guard unit for the political leaders of the fledgling NSDAP Party. As with the NSDAP, "Nationalsozialistische Deutsche Arbeiterpartei" (National-socialist German Worker’s-party), the SA was structured along para-military lines. Most of its recruits were from the ranks of the various "Freikorps" groups of the day, composed mainly of disgruntled ex-soldiers, and they were first utilized at a NSDAP party meeting in Munich in November of 1921. 

The SA pattern box buckle was the first belt buckle to be introduced by the NSDAP, with its estimated introductory dates ranging between 1921 and 1923. On its introduction it was not fully standardized and came in at least five variations. The SA pattern buckle was originally worn by other NSDAP organizations including the SS, the NSKK, the NSBO, and political leaders

Unfortunately, the ambition and  socialist leanings of the SA eventually came into conflict with the goals of the rest of the party, and in 1934 the group leadership was purged, and by 1936 the buckle was officially replaced, though many still wore them.