Forestry Private Service 2nd Pattern Belt Buckle (regular version)
CATEGORY: Version
SKU: 75.GOR.02.02.02.005.000
Estimated market value:
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A Private Forestry Official’s belt buckle; two piece darkened stamped aluminum; known as the “Type II” version, introduced on April 22, 1938, and meant to be worn with the type “B” dress tunic by private Forestry Officials who were charged with protecting private forestry preserves; oval unadorned pebbled dome surrounded by an oak leaf wreath with a bow at the base; unmarked; near extremely fine condition.
Like every organisation during the Third Reich, forestry was placed under the control of the NSDAP. The Reichsforstamt (National Forestry Office) was created in 1934 to replace the regional forestry departments that had existed prior to this date. The goals of the Reichsforstamt were to extract economic value in the form of timber from the forests for the German industry, as well as preserve nature and natural monuments for the people as a part of German culture.
A sub-department for professional hunters employed by the government was created. Hunting matters had formerly been a part of the Ministry for Food and Agriculture, but were now placed under the influence of the Reichsforstamt.
Private forestry matters were placed under the care of the Reichsnährstand (National Nutritional Estate) in 1941.
The Reichsforstamt was headed by Luftwaffe leader Hermann Göring as Reichsforstmeister (minister of forestry).
The Reichsbund Deutsche Jägerschaft (National Society of German Hunters) was founded in 1934 as a statutory corporation for non-professional hunters. All existing hunting societies were disbanded and memberships transferred to the Deutsche Jägerschaft. Membership was mandatory for everyone with a hunting license.
Hermann Göring led the organisation as Reichsjägermeister (minister of hunting).
The Reichsforstschutz or Forstschutzkommando (Forestry Protection Service), in 1943 renamed to Forstschutzkorps (Forestry Protection Corps), was a paramilitary force instituted in February of 1940 in the General Government (occupied Poland). Made up of German forestry officials and ethnic Germans from Poland, the Forstschutz was tasked with regular forestry duties, as well as patrolling and protecting woodlands to keep them from being used by the Polish resistance. In 1942, Forstschutz personnel was also stationed in the Eastern European occupied territories where their work was heavily focused on anti-partisan operations.
Very little is known about the Forstschutz organisation today, and all items related to it are exceedingly rare.
The buckle used by members of the Private Forestry Service was worn in two patterns.
The 1st pattern buckle is round and was worn on a dark-green leather belt. The pebbled dome features no motif and is surrounded by an oak leaf wreath with a ribbon at the bottom. It has a burnished finish for wear with the regular tunic and is gold-coloured for wear with the dress tunic.
The 2nd pattern buckle was introduced on April 22, 1938. It is of the same design as the 1st pattern buckle, but this one is oval. It has a burnished finish for wear with the regular tunic and is aluminum-coloured for wear with the dress tunic.
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