Luftwaffe Parade belt and buckle

[PaulW]

Hi all, picked up this set with a steel buckle from Malcolm Wagner militaria in the UK. Hope you like it!

Malcolm Wagner Militaria | Fine Antiques and Militaria


Regards, Paul

[Ben Evans]

Nice buckle and belt, are you sure it is steel? Looks like zinc to me

[kirby]

As Ben said a nice set and it does look like zinc. I don't remember seeing any 4 tab Luftwaffe made of steel.

[harryamb2]

zinc to me too.

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very nice

[PaulW]

Hi all, thanks for the feedback, glad you like it! The buckle was listed as steel by Malcolm hence I thought it was, but as you say it is more likely zinc - no sign of rust (although I believe zinc does corrode in time...). There is just a little history with it:

"Parade belt was purchased in Bavaria by a colleague of mine from a family whose grandfather had served in the Luftwaffe during the war ,and had sadly passed away a few years back"

Not much to go on, but suggests that the buckle and (patent leather) belt might have always been together. I can't see a makers mark (just the size - 105cm), but I've seen similar belts with ink maker stamps that could probably wear off over time? If anyone can guess at the possible issue period for belts like this I would be interested. I'm thinking 1937 (2nd pattern eagle) until 1939/ 1940? Guessing that as the war kicked in they might have stopped making them, but perhaps kept them for walking out dress? If anyone can confirm or correct that I'd be grateful. In any case I do like the crisp detail on the buckle, this one obviously didn't go over the assault course!

Regards, Paul