Buckle and Belt characteristics, originals & fakes

[Ben Evans]

How to attach buckle with no tab

[Ben Evans]

Hi all, again here I have an example of a type 2 or 2nd pattern or late war EM belt, they have been called all these names but are one and the same. This example has an RB number for the makers mark 0/0485/0002, from what I can find it is the makers makers code for Jablunkau (Czech) I believe. The hook is marked D & C (Dransfeld & Co). If you look at the belt it has no tongue and the prongs go straight into the holes in the leather, note that the previous owner had to make two extra holes to make the belt smaller as he lost weight. In the next thread I will post pictures on how to attach a buckle with and without tab

[Ben Evans]

How to attach a buckle with tab

[Ben Evans]

How to attach buckle with no tab

[Ben Evans]

Hi guys, just wanted to post for example two types of Kriegs Marine stamps that can be found on leather support tabs and belts. The larger one of the two is not as common as the other smaller stamp but is perfectly genuine. There is yet another variant with a lager "M" on it, I do not have an example of that yet but i will post a pic as and when I come across one

[Ben Evans]

Hi all, just another snippet of general information to help you newbies out there, leather support tabs and belts were sometimes marked with unit stamps, I have enclosed a pic of a matching tab and belt from the same unit,they have probably always ben together from issue. You will also see other markings on belt and tabs such as LBA, this is a Luftewaffe marking standing for "Luftewaffe Bekleidungsamt" or a RAD unit marked one with B.A.M written on it "Bekleidungsamt Munchen" It is believed that these were the units stores markings

[Ben Evans]

Hi all, you may see these buckles around, they are original but post war West German army

[Ben Evans]

With great thanks to Dave Holbrook I can show you a tropical web belt (as I dont have one) These have the exact same features as the type one EM belt but they are made from a webbing material and not leather. I never understood why the Germans made these, they never really went into anywhere tropical or were they trying to copy the British equipment to save on leather and maybe webbing was a little stronger? Who knows, just food for thought

[Ben Evans]

You may see these buckles for sale advertised as German belt buckles, well yes in theory they are German but post war East German buckles, nothing to do with WW2 Germany so dont get caught out

[Paul D]

Thanks Ben , great work !!