Original German WWII Kriegsmarine Administrative Official Brocade Belt & Buckle

Original Item. Only One Available. Military belts and their corresponding buckles date back centuries and were initially designed for attaching swords and daggers. In 1847 a new innovative box buckle with a quick release catch and corresponding belt were introduced which resulted in a Prussian, Hauptmann Virschow, initiating a new method of carrying personal equipment with the belt and shoulder straps supporting the majority of the weight. This system, with modifications, remains in use in most of the armies in the world to this day.

On December 15TH 1921 the Weimar era Reichsmarine, (National Navy, Circa 1919-1933), introduced a new brocade belt and buckle which followed the basic design of the Imperial brocade belt and dress buckle but eliminated the crown and "W" monogram. After AH’s rise to power the reorganized Kriegsmarine retained the Reichsmarine brocade belt and dress buckle for Line Officers. Originally the buckles were only produced with a gilt finish until 1934 when a silver version for Administrative Officials with the equivalent of Officers ranks was introduced.

The Officer’s/Administrative Officials’ belt buckle came in two sizes with a roughly, 57mm, (2 1/4"), diameter buckle for wear with the brocade dress belt and a smaller, roughly, 38mm, (1 1/2"), diameter buckle for wear with the black fabric undress belt.

This is a fantastic example with a solid-back buckle, unmarked that we can see. The buckle features a high relief, embossed, overlapping, laurel leaf wreath outer edge encompassing an embossed, vertical, fouled anchor, on a slightly domed, horizontally ribbed field. The outer edge of the buckle conforms to the shape of the laurel leaves.

The belt retains its felt backing and both buckles pieces. A fantastic piece, ready for further research and display.