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An original German combat belt buckle issued to enlisted men and non-commissioned officers of the Army (Heer) within the Wehrmacht. The front design displays the national eagle with down-slanted wings clutching a mobile swastika, surrounded by an oak leaf wreath and the standard arched motto "GOTT MIT UNS" (God with us). The entire design is set against a distinct textured, pebbled background finish. The buckle is manufactured from lightweight aluminum and exhibits genuine signs of field wear along with a natural aged patina. The reverse features a crisp stamped manufacturer and year marking: B&N 37. It comes complete with its original brown leather tab, which still bears a visible oval embossed maker stamp from the Berg & Nolte firm located in Lüdenscheid.
Historical context
This pattern of the Wehrmacht Army belt buckle was introduced on January 24, 1936. Early production examples were made from aluminum and fitted with a protective leather tab to stabilize the buckle on the belt and prevent it from slipping. The initials B&N designate the prominent metal-work firm Berg & Nolte based in Lüdenscheid, a major center for German military insignia and hardware manufacturing. As World War II progressed and strategic material restrictions intensified, aluminum production was phased out in favor of steel around 1939/1940, and the addition of leather tabs was entirely discontinued by 1942. This makes pre-war, complete aluminum configurations highly sought after by historical collectors.