It's tough to tell from the photos. The brocade looks good, not like the cheap-looking material on later reproductions. The leather color can vary on authentic examples. The "hook" is amost always of aluminum. The cloth should be velvet, although on the later examples with field grey backing, the material can vary. At least the earlier A-SS examples have a tab attached to one of the belt loops to protect the brocade from the buckle prongs. I can't see that in the photos. I don't know if that feature was dropped on later examples, but I have seen presumably originally W-SS & police brocades without it. Some belts were reportedly assembled postwar using period brocade. The wear and age of the brocade on this one appear authentic. The leather also looks honestly aged. The big question I would have is whether the aforementioned tab is or was present. If so, it is highly likely an authentic belt. If not, I don't know. The old black light test on the brocade might help. If there is no glow, it would be a good sign, but not necessarily a definitive one since detergents, cleaning fluid, dry cleaning, etc., can cause fabric to glow. I would try to determine whether a tab must be there to determine authenticity through online research, militaria forums, etc.,
anyone else have an opinion?....Robert
Does it show any oxidation on the bullion? Any marking of size? What are thoughts on the lack of SS/RZM tags?
Tags are not always found. On unused or seldomly used examples, maybe. The early real ones I have seen have that faint gold or yellowish look. It might be the light, but the one here seems to have it. I have also see them with oxidation, as JoeW notes. A good deal depends on how often the belt was worn and how early or late it was made. Postwar incorrect storage, in a damp place for example can drastically affect condition. If nothing else, I would try the black light test and see what happens.
I have owned four SS-Police Feldbinde and all had tags in various condition. Does this one have a size marked on the leather part?
I have an A-SS brocade with buckle that has no tag and no date. It is 100 percent authentic. It's nice if those features are present, but they are not always there. To a degree, the.belts are adjustable by placement of the buckle. As previously stated, I would be more concerned about the presence or absence of the protective pad attached to one of of the loops. According to perhaps the most imminent authority on these things, if the pad is not there, the belt is a reproduction. I don't know whether that applies only to A-SS examples, or all examples.
Google "SS brocade belt." You will see examples of many fakes and some authentic ones. Wittman has a very nice A-SS example on his site which clearly shows the protective pad attached to the loop. There is dealer site or two that have authentic examples shown. There are also pics of the later SS/police brocades. Some, at least, also show the pad. It could be this feature was omitted in very late versions to speed up production, but that is speculative on my part.
It is NOT original. Several indicators are telling you that and the leather tongue is confirming (look how it is stitched to the belt). Reproduction made before 2000.
