Group of four original Wehrmacht Aluminium Uniform Buttons featuring the characteristic convex finely pebbled surface associated with German military uniforms of the pre-war and WWII period. The buttons remain mounted on an old card marked Hensoldt & Kaelble G.m.b.H, although that company attribution has not been independently confirmed as wartime factory packaging. The buttons themselves display convincing period appearance and remain in very good condition.
€ 60
1 in stock
This group of four original Wehrmacht Aluminium Uniform Buttons features the familiar finely pebbled, convex design used extensively on German military uniforms during the Third Reich period.
The buttons retain a bright silver-grey appearance with clearly defined textured surfaces. All four remain mounted on an old display card headed “Hensoldt & Kaelble G.m.b.H – Waffenfabric – Für Luftwaffe, Heer, S.A., S.S., Marine.”
The buttons themselves correspond closely with accepted pre-war and early-war German aluminium uniform-button construction. However, the wording on the card deserves separate consideration and should not be used automatically as proof of the button manufacturer.
The finely textured surface is generally described by collectors as pebbled, while German references use the term gekörntor genarbt.
This pattern was widely used throughout German military uniform production. Helmut Weitze documents silver-coloured pebbled aluminium buttons on both Heer and Luftwaffe uniforms, with standard uniform sizes commonly falling around 19–20 mm.
Pre-war Wehrmacht regulations introduced lightweight aluminium buttons in 1935. During wartime production, aluminium was progressively supplemented or replaced by zinc and, during the final stages of the conflict, steel.
Consequently, aluminium construction normally points toward a pre-war or earlier wartime production period.
Plain silver-coloured pebbled buttons appeared on numerous German uniforms.
They could be used on field tunics, dress garments, pockets, shoulder straps and other uniform applications depending upon their diameter and attachment construction.
Weitze currently lists approximately 20 mm Luftwaffe uniform buttons at €5 each, while also documenting the same general convex pebbled form on Heer uniforms.
For related original German military uniforms, see:
Original Third Reich Uniforms – Nordmenn Militaria Nordmenn Militaria – Original Third Reich Uniforms
The surviving card gives this group considerable visual interest. It carries an HK monogram and the printed wording:
Hensoldt & Kaelble G.m.b.H
Waffenfabric
Für Luftwaffe, Heer, S.A., S.S., Marine
Berlin · Hamburg · Köln · Wien
A small Third Reich flag motif appears in the upper-right corner.
However, I would not catalogue Hensoldt & Kaelble as the confirmed manufacturer.
Historical sources identify M. Hensoldt & Söhne of Wetzlar as an optical manufacturer supplying military binoculars and related optical equipment. Separately, the historically documented Kaelble company was Carl Kaelble GmbH of Backnang, a major manufacturer of engines, tractors and heavy military vehicles.
I have not found convincing period documentation establishing a company called “Hensoldt & Kaelble G.m.b.H Waffenfabrik” operating from the cities printed on this card.
Interestingly, an essentially identical Hensoldt & Kaelble button card appeared in a French militaria auction in 2016, where it was catalogued as a Third Reich button card. That proves examples of these cards have circulated in collections for some time, but it does not prove wartime manufacture.
Therefore, the safest professional wording is:
Four original Wehrmacht-period pebbled aluminium uniform buttons retained on an old Hensoldt & Kaelble collector/display card; the card itself is not presently authenticated as wartime factory packaging.
That avoids making a claim which future research could disprove.
From the visible fronts, the four buttons exhibit convincing characteristics for period German military uniform fittings.
Their pebbled pattern is fine and regular without the crude surface often seen on cast reproductions. The convex profiles also correspond with accepted Wehrmacht construction.
Natural tonal variation is present across the aluminium surfaces. Furthermore, minor oxidation and handling marks are consistent with age rather than artificially applied distressing.
The buttons appear considerably more convincing than the attribution printed on the card.
For a final authentication, photographs of one button removed from the card showing the complete reverse and any manufacturer markings would be valuable. Maker stamps could potentially identify the actual manufacturer.
Established German makers of pebbled military buttons included:
Assmann & Söhne of Lüdenscheid, Berg & Nolte of Lüdenscheid, Richard Sieper & Söhne of Lüdenscheid, Funke & Brüninghaus of Lüdenscheid and Brüder Schneider of Vienna. Weitze documents these manufacturers directly in connection with Wehrmacht aluminium button production.
This makes the absence of Hensoldt & Kaelble from established button-manufacturer references another reason to remain cautious about the card attribution.
For an external specialist comparison:
Helmut Weitze – Original Luftwaffe Pebbled Uniform Buttons
For historical information concerning the genuine Kaelble company:
Technikforum Backnang – History of Carl Kaelble GmbH
The four Wehrmacht Aluminium Uniform Buttons remain in very good condition.
The pebbled surfaces retain strong definition, while only minor oxidation and storage marking are visible. No aggressive polishing is apparent.
The display card has obvious age staining, edge wear, cracking and several empty mounting positions. Nevertheless, it remains visually interesting and should be preserved with the group.
Neither the buttons nor card should be cleaned.
Item: German military uniform buttons
Quantity: 4
Material: Aluminium / light metal
Finish: Silver-grey
Design: Convex finely pebbled surface
Probable period: Third Reich / WWII
Likely use: Wehrmacht Heer or Luftwaffe uniform
Button authenticity: Period manufacture appears likely
Card inscription: Hensoldt & Kaelble G.m.b.H
Card status: Not independently authenticated as period factory packaging
Condition: Very good
