Fake Hessian Liebgarde Buckle

[DaveL]

(Sold as such). See online catalog at www.military4you.com/us/us_ frame.html

Siegmund Stephan. Also real & fantasy buckles & other German militaria.

[Tom Y]

I've bought several things from the Stephans, particularly Gunnar, and have always been satisfied. They even throw in extras at times. They do sell repros, but always list them as such. BTW, the link you posted leads to an error message.

[DaveL]

Hi Tom, thanks for sharing your experience with the Stephans. I did say that this buckle was listed as a repro/fake (i prefer to use the term "fake" wherever a piece is not itself marked "Reproduction", even if the seller does not intend to deceive.) Sorry if the link is wrong - it's what Webtv came up with for that page. If it does not work, search the site by the name.

[Mark S.]

delte the us/us in the link and it works

[DaveL]

These are crudely done & will not fool anyone who has even seen a good photo of an original. The crown is also wrongly proportioned.

[DaveL]

Correction: these fakes are in brass; as i recall the brass version was worn by a cavalry regt. (117??) & one other formation. (Check Reid or another good buckle reference.) The Liebgarde buckle is of course in nickel alloy. I have not seen a fake version of the Liebgarde but one should be expected, from the same die as the brass counterfeit.