Rare* Waffen-SS steel Belt Buckle by F.W. Assmann & Söhne in Lüdenscheid RZM 155/40 SS and Leather Belt. MISC 1020. Rare* Waffen-SS steel Belt Buckle by F.W. Assmann & Söhne in Lüdenscheid RZM 155/40 SS and Leather Belt. MISC 1020. Antique & Militaria

The SS could trace its origins to several early Freikorps and Nazi Party formations, among them the Erhardt Naval Brigade, Der Stahlhelm, and most significantly the Sturmabteilung (SA), of which the SS was originally a subordinate organisation. In 1925, Hitler ordered the formation of a new bodyguard unit, the Schutzkommando (protection command). It was formed by Julius Schreck and included old Stoßtrupp members, Emil Maurice and Erhard Heiden. The only insignia was the swastika armband, usually homemade, except for the handful of men constituting the Stoßtrupp successor, the Schutzkommando, who continued the use of the Totenkopf pinned to cap or collar. That same year, the Schutzkommando was expanded to a national level. It was renamed successively the Sturmstaffel (storm squadron), and finally the Schutzstaffel (protection squadron), abbreviated to SS (on 9 November). Maker marked with ‘RZM 155/40 SS’ which is the code of the firm F.W. Assmann & Söhne in Lüdenscheid in 1940. The buckle measuring; 64mm x 48mm and in good overall condition-see images. The belt has a number stamp which is illegible and is in very good order measuring; 91 ½ cm end to end. See chapter seven of German Belt Buckles 1845-1945 by Peter Nash. The price includes UK delivery. MISC 1020.