German Fire Defense EM Brass Buckle with Silvered Rondelle - 33(2).117a

Description

This is a German Fire Defense EM Brass Buckle with Silvered Rondelle - 33(2).117a (Koppelschloss Freiwillige Feuerwehr). This buckle is roughly, 1.75" (4.5 cm), tall, early, (circa 1930-1934), two piece, die-stamped, solid brass alloy construction, fire defense personnel's box style belt buckle features a smooth base field with a separate, circular, embossed, silver washed, alloy face plate attached to the front center by two, small, soldered spots, which are visible on the reverse. The circular face plate features a slightly textured, central, circular field with an embossed, stylized fire fighter's helmet with spike and chin-strap, superimposed over two, crossed, fire axes, all encompassed by a slightly textured, circular, field with the embossed block Latin, script, "Gott Zur Ehr, Dem Nachsten Zur Wehr" (Honor God, Defend Your Neighbors). The script is encircled by both an inner and outer simulated, twisted rope border. The face plate retains over 95% of it's bright, silver washed finish. The reverse of the buckle has a brazed on, buckle catch and the steel prong bar and prongs are all intact. The buckle is in overall excellent condition with minor age and usage toning, a small dent to the face plate. The buckle has no visible manufacturer's markings. I purchased it in 2006 from a private collector. This buckle is discussed in "Belt, Buckles, & Brocades of the TR - Revised Edition" by LTC J.R. Angolia (1st Edition), pages 420-421.
NOTE
: These are all pieces from my 30 year personal collection of WW2 Militaria that I am now liquidating. They are all authentic unless otherwise noted in the description.