Third Reich HJ Belt Buckle, M4/44 Nickel
Price: Sold
DESCRIPTION: Die struck steel, box buckle with a nickel/silver plated finish. The buckle features a smooth outer field with a central embossed HJ style national eagle, with down-swept wings, clutching an HJ diamond on a slightly pebbled background field. The eagle is encompassed by a circular ribbed background border with a simulated twisted rope trim to both the inner and outer edges. The circular border has embossed Gothic scripted HJ motto to the top, “Blut und Ehre”, (Blood and Honor). The reverse of the buckle is a mirror image of the obverse. The reverse has a brazed on buckle catch, and the prong bar and prongs are all intact. Marked RZM “M4/44”.
BACKGROUND: Originally HJ members wore a variety of belt buckles with the most common being based on the SA buckle, and designated, “NSDAP Jugend Koppelschloß”, (NSDAP Youth Belt Buckle). In 1933 a distinctive box belt buckle was officially introduced for wear by all ranks of HJ personnel. In November 1936 a HJ Leader’s belt buckle was introduced and wear of the standard HJ buckle was discontinued for higher ranks. Of Note: In 1938 production of the DJ, sigrune belt buckle was discontinued and was replaced with the standard HJ EM/NCO’s belt buckle.
