Description

WWI SOLDIER’S SOUVENIR GERMAN BELT WITH FRENCH SECOND EMPIRE BUCKLE & GERMAN “DRGM” MARKED CLIP: SCARCE EXAMPLE

WWI Soldier’s Souvenir German Belt shows light to moderate signs of age, wear, use and long term storage, but remains in overall VERY GOOD CONDITION. Belt is heavily adorned with German and Prussian Buttons as well as cockades and what appears to be the “DRGM” marked clip off of an early German dagger hanger. To us, this is absolutely one of the most interesting WWI souvenir belts that we have ever owned and actually one that we have seriously considered keeping. Especially since we have NEVER seen a WWI souvenir belt with such an early buckle or a DRGM marked clip attached to it. The Brass Buckle dates to the rule of Napoleon the Third or what is referred to as the French Second Empire, which dates from 1852-1870. So, this buckle dates to 1870 or earlier! Belt remains very SOLD with NO rot, tears, splits, dry areas or cracks. The leather remains VERY soft and flexible and shows absolutely NO signs of ever having any sort of so called “preservative” applied. ALL buttons, cockades, etc remain firmly attached by an intricate system of woven leather cord and thin rope. The buckle and fastening loop remain in Very Good to Excellent Condition and are woven onto the belt with leather cord as well. Both the buckle and fastening loop remain in place, but the leather to one of the knots at the fastening loop end is broken and the knot is gone, which can be seen in the photos. So, only one knot in the leather cord is holding it in place. Both the buckle and the fastening loop remain firmly in place, but the belt should be handled with care due to the leather cord at the ends starting to show age and wear after more than 100 years. This belt came to us locally from the family of a collector who passed away some years ago. He was an artist at La Petit Soldier’s Shop on Royal Street in New Orleans. He only collected what came to him locally. He did not buy online or go to militaria shows or flea markets. He traded his art for military antiques and this is one of the pieces that he traded for.  This is truly a fantastic souvenir belt that displays extremely well and is by far one of the most unique you will every find. We know you will be extremely pleased with it when you see it and proud to add it to your collection! Hurry and buy it before we change our minds . . .