WWII GERMAN BELT BUCKLE MARKINGS
The belt buckles of the Third Reich were often marked with manufacturing information in the back section. It is important to note that not all belt buckles were marked. Some of them did not have any form of stamping.

The buckles can be RZM marked or manufacturer stamped. Some samples may also include the year of manufacturing. Some companies stamped the information where the letters are in relief where the markings were applied post production. Other companies used raised letters to record the information. Where the markings had to be built in the mold itself.

The RZM designation for a belt buckle is "M4". It is important to note that the RZM markings shown here do not cover the entire range of possibilities. It is quite likely that there are other ways in which the RZM number was stamped to the buckle that are not represented here.

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	The markings on this belt buckle are very interesting because they have a little bit of everything. From left to right the markings are: Manufacturer's name "A" and "A&S". The next marking is "Ges Gesch". After that is the RZM numenclature.
	This belt buckle has been stamped with RZM markings. The word RZM is enclosed in a circle just as the number itself "M/4/27".
	This is an example of a belt buckle that has been stamped with the manufacturer's name. The initials "JFS" are the marking of the manufacturer.
	This buckle has been stamped with the manufacturer's logo. The letter "A" stands for the Assmann company.
	The markings for this belt buckle consists of the initials of the manufacturing company in raised letters. "R. S & S".
	The markings for this belt buckle consists of the RZM number. The word RZM is placed inside a circle. The number itself is out in the open "M4/37". The letters for both are raised.

This belt buckle along with the other types are currently being reproduced. It is becoming more difficult to be able to tell the fake ones from the real ones because the quality of the reproductions is improving. The collector must become familiarized with the construction style and materials employed in the manufacturing of this badge. Attention to the details is critical in order to be able to determine the authenticity of the buckle.