History

The Deutsche Reichsbahn (German National Railway) was created after the First World War in 1920 by combining the formerly independent state railways of the abolished German Empire into a national organisation. Under NSDAP rule, the German state railway system was reorganised in the 1930s to better meet the needs of the economy and to prepare for war, eventually supplying the front lines with soldiers and supplies. The Reichsbahn also had an infamous role to play in the Holocaust, transporting Jews and other “undesirables” to concentration and extermination camps.

The Bahnschutzpolizei (railway protection police) was founded in 1939 as a merger of the Bahnpolizei (railway police) and the Reichsbahnschutz (railway protection force), the latter being regular railway employees that, beyond their normal functions, additionally served as railway security personnel.
The Bahnschutzpolizei as a railway sub-organisation was made up of policemen that were employed by the Reichsbahn rather than the German police force. Their task was to ensure railway safety as well as preventing railway-related espionage and sabotage. During the war, most members of the Bahnschutzpolizei served in the occupied Eastern European territories.

The Railway Company belt buckle was introduced in 1924. It is rectangular and features a wheel with two wings inside a double circle with a rope-like pattern. The wings extend over the inner rope. In between the ropes is the semi-circular inscription “Deutsche Reichsbahn-Gesellschaft” (German National Railway Company).

The buckle features a smooth field that was normally made of aluminum-painted steel. It was worn on a black leather belt. This particular buckle was discontinued in 1935. Variants exist, for example one in matte-grey with a brass centre, or with a pebbled instead of a smooth field.