Germany, Third Reich. A Patriotic Belt Buckle, from the John R. Angolia Collection Hold surrounded by an inscription reading

surrounded by an inscription reading “PANZERAUFKLÄRUNGSABTEILUNG 40” (“Armoured Reconnaissance Battalion 40”)

issued in the field on 12 October 1943

The haft is fabricated from treated cherry wood

and on the 20th was bumped up to SS-Brigadefuhrer and General Major of the Police

Germany, Third Reich. A Patriotic Belt Buckle, from the John R. Angolia Collection Hold surrounded by an inscription reading(Patriotische Grtelschnalle). Constructed of fire gilded brass, the obverse consisting of an oval frame interwoven with elaborate latticework, overlaid at both the top and bottom with mobile swastika, the reverse with a catch, unmarked, measuring 45 mm (w) x 80 mm (h), in extremely fine condition. Footnote: This buckle originates from a group of over 900 examples retrieved from the collection of noted historian and pioneering reference guide author