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An original German combat belt buckle issued to enlisted men and non-commissioned officers of the Wehrmacht Army (Heer). The obverse displays the army style eagle clutching a swastika, surrounded by an oak leaf wreath and the traditional motto "GOTT MIT UNS" (God with us) set against a distinctly pebbled background field. Stamped from lightweight aluminum, this buckle showcases a crisp front detail with an attractive aged patina and minor oxidation on the reverse. The back features a prominent, raised manufacturer signature stamped directly beneath the catch sleeve: RS&S. This buckle represents the variant without a leather tab and retains its original functional two-prong prong fastener assembly.
Historical context
Aluminum combat buckles introduced in 1936 were the standard field equipment worn by German soldiers during the early campaigns of World War II. The initials RS&S designate the famous metalwork factory of Richard Sieper & Söhne based in Lüdenscheid, one of the premier contractors for high-quality military buckles and badges. The firm was renowned for its superior craftsmanship, which is reflected in the sharp detail of the eagle's plumage on the front. As aluminum was diverted exclusively to aircraft manufacturing around 1939/1940, production of these buckles changed entirely to steel, making well-preserved aluminum examples by Richard Sieper a favorite among militaria collectors.