The eagle on this buckle has been watching over Spanish soldiers since before most countries had standing armies worth mentioning.

The Eagle of Saint John traces back to Queen Isabella I of Castile in the 15th century, who incorporated it into her royal symbols out of personal devotion to Saint John the Evangelist. When the Catholic Monarchs united their kingdoms, the eagle became part of the combined Spanish coat of arms and never really left. Francisco Franco reintroduced it as the centerpiece of the official Spanish coat of arms in 1939 and it remained on Spanish military dress gear through the entire Franco era and into the country's transition to democracy, serving as the standard Spanish Army buckle design from the 1940s well into the 1970s. The cross alongside the eagle is the Cross of Santiago, honoring Saint James, patron saint of Spain.

What You Get

• Genuine Spanish Army issue black leather service belt
• Large gold brass square plate buckle with embossed Eagle of Saint John and Cross of Santiago
• Slide buckle mechanism for clean front presentation

Sizing

• Width: 2"
• Fits waists up to 48"

Condition:
Used military issued surplus. Good condition with honest field character consistent with genuine service use.

Material:
Black leather with natural tan suede interior and gold brass eagle plate buckle