Original Imperial German WWI Hate Belt U.S. Machine Guns but this does not effect

but this does not effect its stability as the crack is shallow and does not run through the shaft

Blade Style: Double Edge Spear Point

Apparently no attempt was made to keep copper-plated lock parts together

showing maker and patent information:

Original Imperial German WWI Hate Belt U.S. Machine Guns but this does not effectOriginal 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