1929 Unit Marked Reichswehr Buckle

[BodhiEtheridge]

This was my most recent purchase and second reichswehr buckle. This one is covered in markings, a 1929 date and unreadable makers mark (maybe someone can interpret this maker) ,unit marked “1 ./A R. 17. I” underneath the unit mark is “I.B” and on both sides of the tab is a lone “I” mark.

Overall very happy with this one as I’ve been looking for a 20s example ever since I bought my 1932 example.

Cheers,
Bodhi

Lots of pictures as I tried my best to show all the markings well.

[MAP]

Not a buckle guy but that got character!

[weller]

Great buckle. Have you yet discovered the unit marking details ? Here is a unit marked example I have:

Reichswehr - 1935 Unit Marked

[AndyM35]

Nice pickup Bodhi! And the photos are fantastic!

Andy

[BodhiEtheridge]

I have not discovered the unit markings, is there a good website/book that I can use to find this out for myself? Excellent buckle too!

Thanks Andy! I try my best with the pictures.

[weller]

I believe "I" is for Infantry. I cannot make out the stamp before the /. Think AR.17 which could be 17th Artillery Regiment. Perhaps others here will be able to assist further.

[BodhiEtheridge]

Thanks for the start on it, the full stamp is “1 ./A R. 17. I” and I have been told that last “I” means it was stored until mobilization, however I’m more than happy to stand corrected

[weller]

Looks like the 17th was part of the 6th Infanterie Division:

Divisions of the Reichswehr | TRADOC Files

17.Infanterie-Regiment - Feldgrau

[Willmore]

I’m genuinely not sure about pre and interwar designations, but if they are organised in the same way as wartime units, it would be 1./Batterie Artillerie Regiment 17 and the I would mean 1st Abteilung.

An example would be -

Stab
I. Abteilung mit 1. - 3. Batterie
II. Abteilung mit 4. - 6. Batterie
III. Abteilung mit 7. - 9. Batterie
IV. (schwere) Abteilung mit 10 - 12. Batterie

[Seafox]

I’m genuinely not sure about pre and interwar designations, but if they are organised in the same way as wartime units, it would be 1./Batterie Artillerie Regiment 17 and the I would mean 1st Abteilung.

I was thinking exactly the same.

Does anyone know what the green residue on the back beneath the prongbar is ? I have a Reichsheer buckle with exactly the same sticky green wax, but also a post-war Berlin Polizei buckle that has it.
Is it residue of maintenance or polishing wax for the metal buckle ? Or some kind of leather wax from the belt ?


Very nice buckle and tab Bodhi !

Kind regards