HJ Leaders Belt Buckle (Koppelschloss).

HJ Leaders Belt Buckle (Koppelschloss).
On November 6th 1936 a new circular HJ Leaders belt buckle was introduced and wear of the standard HJ box buckle was discontinued for all Officer’s ranks.
On its introduction the HJ Leaders belt buckle was only produced in silver but additional regulations of September 30th 1938 established a gold version.
After the introduction of the gold buckle regulations dictated that the HJ Officer’s wear the appropriate colored buckle to match the color of their shoulder board insignia devices.

1936 pattern, die stamped, alloy construction buckle with a nickel/silver plate.
The circular belt buckle features a highly embossed HJ style national eagle clutching the HJ diamond to the center on a slightly pebbled background field.
The eagle is encompassed by a circular, ribbed background border with simulated twisted rope trim to both the inner and outer edges.
The ribbed border has a highly embossed, Gothic script, HJ motto to the top, " Blut und Ehre", (Blood and Honor).
The reverse of the buckle is a mirror image of the obverse and has a separate brazed on, catch and belt retaining hook.
The raised buckle catch is well marked with deeply stamped RZM logo with dual circular borders and manufacturers code, " M4/22" indicating manufacture by Christian Theodor Dicke Lüdenscheid.