Is this M1936 web belt real??

[Jordan A.]

]I just bought this on E-bay. It supposedly came straight from a WWII veterans trunk. Immediately after hooking it together, the male end of the latch broke off. It is made of pot metal unlike my other known WWII web belt, which is made of bronze or Brass. From the pictures, can you tell if this is a fake? I just can't imagine that our govt contractors back in the 40"s would use such cheap metal. Your thoughts guys?

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[browningautorifle]

I've had it happen with a cartridge belt. It looks OK to me, why not seek out a buckle and sort it out?

[Bill Hollinger]

I say it is genuine also. Pot metal was used during the war.

[kosmolinekid]

I have a '43 date belt with the same buckle, it's real . I also have a BAR belt with the same type "pot metal " buckle that was so corroded it broke. There are sites that sell original buckles but the problem is sewing it on . One has to remember it was an emergency produced item they had to get out quick . That is why there are so many color variations in uniforms and equipment.

[browningautorifle]

He's lucky, it's the slip end and he can change it without breaking stitching.

[kosmolinekid]

http://www.atthefrontshop.com under "hardware", great company.

[browningautorifle]

Great site...unless I missed something there, that buckle pictured is for the cartridge belt, not the pistol belt...

[kosmolinekid]

My bad ! You might want to e-mail Juan Gonzales at WWII Impressions he might have some hardware. I used to Re-enact with Juan back in the day his specialty is Airborne stuff. We were his first customers (CHG 82nd Abn ) when he made his first run of Jumpsuits. He now does just about everything WWII Airborne wise.

[Mk VII]

This mazak metal does degrade with time, unfortunately. Of course it has lasted well beyond its design life.