UBB.threads Forums Uniform & Accessories German Military Uniform Forum Heer NCO belt. Or not.

Hi everyone

I have a 1938-dated Heer belt and buckle.

The belt itself is made of brown leather. Does this make it an NCO's belt, or were all earlier belts made of brown and not black leather?

If it is an NCO's belt, would the accompanying Y-straps also have been brown leather, or just the standard black variant.

Many thanks.

Bods

It sounds like it could be a Luftwaffe belt, as they used brown leather items. Is the belt itself, marked?

Paul

Hi

No, it's definitely not Luftwaffe. It has a Heer buckle attached to it. The belt is marked with the year '1938' and some faint text that looks like "Krouton".

Thanks.

Well the buckle could have been replaced at some time. It could still be a lufrwaffe belt that someone put a heer buckle on. leather belts didn't have the buckles perminately attached

Exactly my thought! Luftwaffe, but regulations, wore brown leather, early on. Can you please post some images?

Ok, here's some pics.

Thanks for your feedback.

And another

Another

Last one

"CROUTON"

The belt stamping would indicate pre war issue by the VA-SS 1936-37-38? i am not sure the VA marked belts in this fashion, it bears looking into..

Well, this could get interesting.

What does "Crouton" mean?

Is it unheard of for Heer buckles to be found with this kind of belt? Or was this kind of mix'n' match style quite common?

Cheers.

Chris..more than likely these two pieces (belt and buckle) were not mated originally...the belt of course was issued to the SS and would have had an SS buckle attached..

Remember, belts are belts, and they were made in the millions.Since most box buckles will fit all belts of this type,it could have been mated during the war, or anytime afterwords...it is less common to find the belt with issued buckle, time and circumstance take care of that..

I have in my collection a first world war belt marked to a Prussian infantry regiment, with an aluminum heer buckle..just the way it was taken in Holland by a Canadian soldier.

Basically, when it comes to issued equipment, numbers and stamps only mean something to the issuing organisations store keepers.All that matters to the soldier is that it keeps his fieldgear attached to his body..

Good information - many thanks.

Chris

Chris,

That is a great set!! The belt does look like it was once black.

Thanks, Paul. It is a really nice set-up. The buckle still even has mud in it from when it was picked up from its owner.

What makes you say the belt was once black though?

Chris

I would agree with Paul, looks like a one time black belt now faded. I have 4 different combat belts one is Luft all are dark faded black/brown.
Warren

Well, the base leather is dark brown, later dyed or polished black. The fading would be hastened by heavy use. I love the set! You can still see areas of black in the photos you posted.

Paul

The belt's up for sale if anyone's interested. PM me or reply. Buckle not included.

Thanks.