SA Enlisted Ranks Belt Buckle (with sunwheel swastika)

SKU: 51.GOR.02.02.02.001

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  • SA Enlisted Ranks Belt Buckle (with sunwheel swastika) (brass/nickel version) Obverse
  • SA Enlisted Ranks Belt Buckle (with sunwheel swastika) (brass/nickel version) Reverse
  • SA Enlisted Ranks Belt Buckle (with sunwheel swastika) (brass/nickel version) Reverse

Attributes

  • country
    Germany

History


The SA (Sturmabteilung, storm detachment) was established in 1921 as a paramilitary protection squad of the NSDAP. The members of the SA were tasked with protecting party leaders at political rallies and meetings from the paramilitary forces of the opposing political factions. The SA was first utilised on November 4, 1921 at a meeting held in Munich’s "Hofbräuhaus" beer hall. The organisation was banned after the failed putsch in 1923 and was reactivated in February 1925.

The SA Belt Buckle was the first belt buckle that was introduced by the NSDAP and it was initially worn by many organisations, including the SS, NSKK, and the NSBO. Additionally, in the early days of the movement, it was worn by enlisted ranks and leaders alike. Although the exact institution date is unknown, it was likely introduced between 1921 and 1923. The buckle was introduced prior to the establishment of the RZM, the controlling body that approved manufacturers' products, and as a result, few design restrictions were placed on manufacturers, resulting in a large number or variations.

The buckle is a rectangular box that was manufactured out of stamped brass. In most cases, it measures 63x47mm (not counting the 51x35mm version worn by NSDAP youth members), however, there's a rarely encountered 63x40mm variant.
The obverse is embossed with an SA-pattern eagle clutching a wreath with a swastika in the centre. The eagle is encircled by two rings in a rope design, with a partial laurel wreath placed between the two rings at the bottom.
Manufacturers competed to create the most attractive design, therefore a number of design variations can be encountered. The most noticeable variations include the design of the swastika, which can be static, mobile, or in the form of a sunwheel, the size and design of the eagle, and the materials used in production. Some buckles are made of brass with a silvered face plate, others are of nickel with a brass face plate, and some are brass on brass. The reverse of the buckle may be marked with an RZM logo and a manufacturer's number.

The buckle was worn with a light brown belt strap, which was changed to dark brown in 1934, and a shoulder strap of the same colour.
It was eventually replaced by a rectangular double claw (or rarely single claw) buckle in 1934 and was to be completely discontinued in 1936. However, SA members continued to wear it in spite of the new regulations.

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Versions

  • Price

    $90 USD

  • Composition

    Brass/Silvered Nickel

  • Inscription

  • Size

    63x49mm

  • Maker

  • Version Remarks

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  • Price

    $90 USD

  • Composition

    Brass/Silvered Brass

  • Inscription

  • Size

    63x48mm

  • Maker

  • Version Remarks

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  • Price

    $110 USD

  • Composition

    Brass/Silvered Brass

  • Inscription

  • Size

    63x48mm

  • Maker

    O. Fechler

  • Version Remarks

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  • Price

    $90 USD

  • Composition

    Brass/Silvered Zinc

  • Inscription

  • Size

    63x49mm

  • Maker

  • Version Remarks

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  • Price

    $90 USD

  • Composition

    Brass

  • Inscription

  • Size

    62x49mm

  • Maker

  • Version Remarks

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  • Price

    $90 USD

  • Composition

    Brass

  • Inscription

  • Size

    63x47mm

  • Maker

  • Version Remarks

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  • Price

    $75 USD

  • Composition

    Bronze

  • Inscription

  • Size

    62x48mm

  • Maker

  • Version Remarks

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