German Bundeswehr Leather Belt and Buckle
Black leather uniform belt with federal eagle box buckle; interpreted as with date October 1991
Images
Specifications
| General Information | |
|---|---|
| Country | Federal Republic of Germany |
| Service | Bundeswehr |
| Type | Leather uniform belt with box buckle (Lederkoppel mit Kastenschloss) |
| Period | Post-war Bundeswehr pattern; unconfirmed date of October 1991 |
| Belt | Textured black leather exterior with natural tan underside |
| Pattern Width | Nominally 5 cm |
| Buckle | Silver-colored metal box buckle; exact alloy unconfirmed |
| Emblem | Federal eagle (Bundesadler) within a circular central device |
| Inscription | EINIGKEIT · RECHT · FREIHEIT — “Unity · Justice · Freedom” |
| Fastening & Adjustment | Metal end catch with double-prong adjustment assembly behind the buckle |
| Size Marking | 110 — consistent with nominal size 110 cm |
| Additional Stamp | 10 91 2228 A |
| Probable Belt Date | October 1991, based on the 10 91 portion of the leather stamp |
| Manufacturer | Not yet identified; the meaning of 2228 A remains unresolved |
| Buckle Date | Unconfirmed; the leather belt’s apparent date does not independently date the detachable buckle |
Historical Background
This assembly consists of a black leather uniform belt fitted with a rectangular Bundeswehr box buckle. The federal eagle and the inscription EINIGKEIT · RECHT · FREIHEIT identify the Federal Republic’s military pattern.
Bundeswehr uniform regulations describe this combination as the Lederkoppel mit Kastenschloss: a black leather belt, nominally 5 cm wide, with an eagle-bearing box buckle. The silver-colored version was prescribed for most Army and Air Force personnel, including ranks beyond enlisted men and NCOs.
The assembly represents a West German uniform pattern carried into the Bundeswehr of reunified Germany. If the date interpretation is correct, this leather belt was produced approximately one year after reunification.
Buckle Design & Symbolism
The buckle face has a finely pebbled background enclosed by a raised rectangular border. A circular central device contains the Bundesadler, Germany’s federal eagle, with raised lettering around its perimeter. The inscription translates as “Unity · Justice · Freedom.”
The design remains clearly defined, with light surface discoloration and wear. The buckle is silver-colored metal, but its exact alloy has not been confirmed.
Leather Construction & Fastening
The leather belt has a textured black outer surface and a natural tan underside. Its fastening arrangement includes a metal end catch and a double-prong adjustment assembly behind the buckle. A stitched leather section carries paired adjustment holes.
This construction corresponds to the double-prong attachment and opposing end catch documented for Bundeswehr leather belt equipment. The adjustment holes allow the belt’s fitted length to be changed while retaining the box buckle at the front.
Markings & Dating
The underside is stamped 110 and 10 91 2228 A. The first marking is consistent with the belt’s nominal size of 110 cm. The 10 91 portion is interpreted as a month-and-year production date of October 1991.
The meaning of 2228 A remains unresolved, and no manufacturer has yet been identified. The apparent date belongs to the leather belt; it does not independently date the detachable buckle.
Condition & Collector’s Notes
Visible wear includes creasing and scuffing of the black surface, darkened contact areas on the underside, and wear around the adjustment holes. The stitching and principal fastening components are present. The buckle’s eagle, lettering, and border remain clearly defined.
The belt records the continued use of a West German uniform pattern in the Bundeswehr after reunification. Its leather stamps provide useful size and probable dating information, while the maker and buckle date remain open questions.