Help w/Saxon EM Belt Buckle Markings

[C. Roelens]

Hi Chris:

I understand the questions...I just recall "The Gauleiter" magazine in the early 90's...saying "You know that the collecting bug has gotten to you...when you start doubting the authenticity of the German militaria your Dad bought home from the war.

How true...

This buckle, with the Garde's stamped leather tab looks good to me also, but I'm completely baffled as to how they married up with each other.

Chuck

[Edelweisse]

Help w/Saxon EM Belt Buckle Markings

Thanks for all of your comments....I love looking, seeing and touching original militaria...so I can learn. I love military history...especially a piece or group that comes with the who, what, where, when, etc...

Again...Thanks...we're all learning. I'm sure that there are other pieces that will puzzle fellow collectors.

[Chip M]

The only thing I can add is that this buckle, being a 2-piece, predates the one piece stamping and therefore is more likely of 1915 vintage (if the prong bar is a one-piece type). I think the finish is also an indicator of this dating. Some collectors in Europe call these "steel M95s" because of the two piece construction. The Prussians first decreed steel buckles on January 1st, 1915. They were to be zinc coated. There is no mention of paint at this time.

I can't tell from the reverse photos, but it would be interesting to know if the prong bar was a one-piece or two piece example. The two piece set-up would have been post February 2nd, 1916 when this improvement was made to the one piece buckle.

Chip