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Franco-Prussian War-WW 1,Unusual Souvenir/Hate Belt W/ 3Coins & M1847 Buckle

$ 189.55

Availability: 100 in stock
  • All returns accepted: ReturnsNotAccepted
  • Condition: Used
  • Country/Region of Manufacture: Germany

    Description

    Extremely Rare, complete souvenir/hate belt that served in the Franco-Prussian War and somehow found it's way back to serve in the final stages of the Great War. This type of belt typically displays uniform buttons of enemies and allies but sometimes coins as well. The leather is complete and in remarkable shape for an item in excess of 150+ years old. When this belt found it's way into service it was not dyed black, over the brown to conform with mid-war uniform regulations. The inside of the buckle says it was captured in Sept. 1918 ( by the English scratching in the back of the buckle ). The ( M1847 ) Brass buckle and belt are Prussian, from the Franco-Prussian War before Germany was unified into an Empire at Versailles. If this belt could speak it would have an incredible story to tell. There are three coins remaining on the belt, two from the Republic of France and one from Great Britain, which indicates the belt was turned into a souvenir/hate belt in WW 1.
    The buckle is a M1847 ( 1847-1895 ) which is the earliest production style. The belt is either a 1909 or later Prussian or possibly a French Enlisted Man's that the roller buckle was replaced by the M1847.
    The German 8th Army on the Eastern Front in WW1 had most of the old production buckles for some unknown reason & were in use throughout the Great War. Once Russia settled with the Central Powers in 1917 many of the German units in the East were transferred to the Western Front for the balance of the war. This Buckle could have started it's war service prior to the Franco-Prussian War or the 1866 war with Austria. In any case there is no shortage of history involved in this item.
    Multiple purchases can be combined for postal savings.