My Dad was in the 1st Provisional Marine Brigade Reinforced during the Korean War. This is a belt buckle he brought home. He took it off of Chinese Lieutenant, as in my Dads' words, no longer needed it. The buckle is brass, 1 1/2 inches by 2 1/2 inches. I believe it is a Cavalry belt buckle by the crossed saber and musket. Has Korean on the front ; Korean and Chinese on characters stamped on the back. I've been able to get the Korean translated, but it doesn't help in identifying the buckle itself.
I don't know if it's ROK, North Korean, Chinese, or Russian. The crown with the cross blows all my theories. Maybe Imperial Russia, they would have the crown with a cross, but why would it have Korean on the front? The Korean on the front commemorates the battle triumph. The Korean on the back says it's a victory commemoration of the Goryo Company in the Andong Battle Region March 31, 1950. The date March has to be a typo as the North Koreans didn't invade the south until June 25. 1950. The Andong battle would have been over July 31, 1950.
I have found different results as to who won the battle. Some say North Korea 12th division and others say the ROK 8th division won the battle. So I don't know if this could be a North or South Korean belt buckle.
I'm totally puzzled about this buckle. My dad died back in 2008 so it's too late to ask him.
Any insight or other translations would be greatly appreciated.
Dave
Here is the front.
I don't know if it's ROK, North Korean, Chinese, or Russian. The crown with the cross blows all my theories. Maybe Imperial Russia, they would have the crown with a cross, but why would it have Korean on the front? The Korean on the front commemorates the battle triumph. The Korean on the back says it's a victory commemoration of the Goryo Company in the Andong Battle Region March 31, 1950. The date March has to be a typo as the North Koreans didn't invade the south until June 25. 1950. The Andong battle would have been over July 31, 1950.
I have found different results as to who won the battle. Some say North Korea 12th division and others say the ROK 8th division won the battle. So I don't know if this could be a North or South Korean belt buckle.
I'm totally puzzled about this buckle. My dad died back in 2008 so it's too late to ask him.
Any insight or other translations would be greatly appreciated.
Dave
Here is the front.
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