This 2nd Battalion, 9th Infantry Regiment “Manchu” belt buckle is more than a piece of brass—it is a hardened symbol of legacy, sacrifice, and earned pride. Cast in a rich, aged brass finish with striking high-relief detail, the buckle commands attention with its iconic 5-toed dragon encircling the bold numeral “9,” representing one of the Army’s most storied regiments. The motto “KEEP UP THE FIRE”—etched with purpose—echoes the final words of Colonel Emerson H. Liscum at Tientsin in 1900, immortalizing the relentless fighting spirit of the Manchus. Measuring approximately 3 3/4" wide by 2 3/4" tall, its weight and patina reflect both authenticity and history, with polished highlights rising from an oxidized field that speaks to decades of tradition. First authorized in 1923 to commemorate the regiment’s role in the China Relief Expedition, this buckle remains the only officially sanctioned unit-specific belt buckle in the U.S. Army—a distinction that sets it apart in military heritage. Whether worn by those who earned it through the grueling Manchu Mile or preserved as a collector’s artifact, this piece stands as a tangible connection to over a century of Infantry excellence—bold, unyielding, and unmistakably Manchu.