M1945 Army General's Belt in gold bullion brocade for wear with the dress uniform, complete with dagger hangers, dated 1947.

Gold brocade, with exceedingly high quality light tan morocco leather backing. Massive gold-plated brass buckle with the WW 2 style state emblem (showing 11 republics). One Extra Large size fits all (adjusting the loops on the back will enable it to fit up to about a 46" waist); for the record, from the way the belt is set, its original owner apparently had a 40" waist. The hanger clips and buckles are as solid in their construction as the main buckle - the quality shown here surpasses that shown on the vast majority of Third Reich German dagger hangers. A quality control mark stamped into the leather shows a 1947 date of manufacture and size III (XL).

Very good condition. The gold brocade exterior is beautifully preserved, tight and sound. As typical for this type of belt, there are traces of verdigris that add character without being too detractive, and are probably easy to clean off if desired. There is otherwise only minimal wear to the exterior: we found just a couple of tiny snags to the red thread that are noticeable only at very close inspection. The leather backing is soft, supple, and clean. There is one small tear to it and some tiny perforations apparently left by insects (that are no longer present.) The thread attaching the leather to the brocade exterior is sound and tight. The gilt finish on the buckles is untarnished and bright, with only attractive mild age toning.

By the late 1950s, Soviet Army and Air Force officers stopped wearing daggers except in the most unusual circumstances. To encounter a General's full dress belt today that is complete with the hangers, particularly one that dates to the mid- 1940s, is quite unusual. This exceptionally fine and desirable ensemble is frequently missing from many collections of Soviet "cold steel".

Item# 32607

$550.00