Original Item: One-of-a-kind. American soldiers were known for their love of souvenirs in the Great War; So, a lot of material history of the war came across the Atlantic with returning soldiers. Among collectors of military memorabilia from World War One "HATE BELTS" are items of interest.

German soldiers' leather belts, and other belts from participating armies, that were festooned with buttons from soldiers uniforms are called Hate Belts / Souvenir Belts / Grave Digger Belts. These made for excellent collector's pieces.

"Hate Belt": the idea was that if a German soldier had killed or captured an Allied soldier, then he would have the button from the newly deceased or captured soldier attached to his belt as a kind of notch of conquest on his belt. This, no doubt, is the most intriguing explanation for those decorative belts. 

"Souvenir Belt": this description is apt for many of the belts that are in circulation today. The souvenir belt would involve a German infantryman's belt being decorated with buttons and tabs from troops BOTH Allied and CENTRAL Powers and kept as a remembrance of The War. 

"Grave Digger Belt" description is self explanatory, to a degree. Troops burying dead soldiers would sometimes remove buttons from those they buried as a remembrance. It is impossible to determine the origin of most belts, but some of these highly collectible belts provide some hints as to their origin. Nevertheless, these belts provide for excellent points of interest for collectors.

This example offered in very good condition features a GOTT MIT UNS (God [is] with us) Imperial German issue Prussian M1915 Stamped Steel Belt Buckle with its correct original leather belt. It has seen use, but the emblem on the buckle is still fully legible, with only minor wear. The belt has however gotten a bit worn over the years, but is still quite soft.

It features 19 attached buttons, all attached to the belt with cotter pins or split rings through the button loops. Most of the buttons appear to be German in origin, but a least one is definitely American, and marked U.S. / M.H.S.. Most have insignia, but a few have just numbers or are blank.

It measures about 34 inches in overall length and is 1 1/2 inches wide. The buckle tab is still intact, so the buckle can be moved if desired.

An extremely impressive item! Ready to display!