Julius Kremp buckle - reasons of damage?

[PhMarlowe]

Hi guys!
I was wondering what might have happened to this Kremp buckle - was it rust that damaged it, that has been cleaned later? (preserving other parts almost perfectly?)
Or it is some sort of battle damage, possible run over by a vehicle? Thank you for your thoughts, guys!

[yellow12]

Hello,

my thouht it is a cleaned ground dug with partial havy rust .

[Ben Evans]

I am with Markus, looks like it has been partially in the ground

[zeppelin]

I think the buckle is not from the earth, would be a different overall look.
Rather, the attic and one side hit the damp.