WWII German Waffen-SS Enlisted Mans Belt Buckle - Overhoff & Cie

This original German World War II Waffen-SS enlisted man’s combat belt buckle is an exceptional, pristine example manufactured by the prominent firm Overhoff & Cie in Lüdenscheid. The face of the buckle displays a beautifully struck SS-style national eagle with down-turned wings clutching a swastika, surrounded by a static oak leaf wreath. The upper arch features a detailed rope-like border, while the lower banner crisply displays the embossed Waffen-SS organizational motto, Meine Ehre heißt Treue (My Honor is Loyalty). The surface retains an immaculate, near-unissued finish with entirely crisp, unmarred details throughout the central motif and lettering. Originally designed in the early 1930s—with the manufacturing patent initially granted specifically to the Overhoff firm—this pattern box buckle was an integral part of the SS combat uniform. While early variants were produced in nickel-silver and later aluminum, mid-to-late war production shifted entirely to stamped steel to streamline manufacturing and preserve critical materials. These buckles were worn by combat troops and non-commissioned officers throughout the European theater, securing the standard load-bearing leather gear that held ammunition pouches, field kits, and combat essentials. For the advanced militaria collector, finding an original Waffen-SS combat buckle in this state of preservation offers significant display and investment appeal. As one of the most heavily counterfeited items in the military hobby, an untouched piece featuring the precise die characteristics, flawless stamping, and distinct factory finish of Overhoff & Cie serves as an ideal reference example. It represents an essential, premium cornerstone for any advanced collection focused on elite Axis field gear or European Theater artifacts. Condition: please review photos for full details.