Once more a quick warning about a very recent batch of fakes which appeared in Germany a short while ago but will be certainly be available everywhere in a short time.
Thanks to a German collector and Friend who kindly reported these ASAP.
Some will argue than posting fakes is not very interesting in such since each day sees new ones and knowing originals and/or read before buying is the best way to avoid bad purchases. Others will say that talking about differences between original and fakes will help fakers to further improve their production.
I agree with this, and it was also my philosophy a while ago but quality of forgery increases without any input (it is just a logical process) and most of the time the first purchase of an item is what starts the collection. There is some people who will learn after the first purchase, and even learn good, or other people who will drop the collection because the first experience was painful (buying $150 a fake buckle when you earn minimum wages IS very painful). So I now tend to believe sometimes giving quick reference to common fakes can be a helpful tool for those new comers in the collecting community. Preventing is better than curing in most case and since original buckles are numerous and widely available there is no need to purchase fakes. Knowing originals AND fakes is the winning key!
Back to today’s warning are those recent fake buckles. They try to duplicate buckles made in one piece as it was for some after 1941. The reverse is always the same with marking RZM M4/24 no matter which branch the buckle is supposed to represent (even WWI buckles!!!!!). Be careful with any other number since it can be done as well even if not reported yet (except for the fake SS marked RZM M4/46 made with mix of zinc and plastic). Seen organizations for this fake are: HJ, WH, SS and WWI Prussian buckles.
Here is the fake SS variant
Thanks to a German collector and Friend who kindly reported these ASAP.
Some will argue than posting fakes is not very interesting in such since each day sees new ones and knowing originals and/or read before buying is the best way to avoid bad purchases. Others will say that talking about differences between original and fakes will help fakers to further improve their production.
I agree with this, and it was also my philosophy a while ago but quality of forgery increases without any input (it is just a logical process) and most of the time the first purchase of an item is what starts the collection. There is some people who will learn after the first purchase, and even learn good, or other people who will drop the collection because the first experience was painful (buying $150 a fake buckle when you earn minimum wages IS very painful). So I now tend to believe sometimes giving quick reference to common fakes can be a helpful tool for those new comers in the collecting community. Preventing is better than curing in most case and since original buckles are numerous and widely available there is no need to purchase fakes. Knowing originals AND fakes is the winning key!
Back to today’s warning are those recent fake buckles. They try to duplicate buckles made in one piece as it was for some after 1941. The reverse is always the same with marking RZM M4/24 no matter which branch the buckle is supposed to represent (even WWI buckles!!!!!). Be careful with any other number since it can be done as well even if not reported yet (except for the fake SS marked RZM M4/46 made with mix of zinc and plastic). Seen organizations for this fake are: HJ, WH, SS and WWI Prussian buckles.
Here is the fake SS variant
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