GAU ESSEN, Large swastika, Croatian, Rumanian Buckles: SS Related ?

[Marc verstraete]

Hello fellow collectors,

I made two major acquisitions last week; one of them is the Croatian (SS) EM buckle.

I did some research and this buckle belongs to the “Action detachment of the German troops in Croatia” (1941-1943) later becoming part of the SS Prinz Eugen Gebirgs division, (7th Waffen SS division.)

I have rarely encountered this buckle and have been looking for one for a long time.
Only Catella speaks about this piece in his book. None of the other authors mentions this item.
No written op photography document are know at this time
Any information is welcome as are pictures of other specimens known.

Marc V.

[buckle1]

Marc,

I know of one other buckle of this type located in the US. I was fortunate enough to handle it a few years ago at the MAX show. There was I believe anothr on offered on Manion's some time ago at a very very high price. I do not think it was purchased. There was also a long discussion on the buckle forum some time ago about this buckle. The main point being made is why would an SS buckle/non-Germanic have a Bavarian motto on it? I still have a problem with this. I doubt that it is a fake buckle based on it's construction and extreme rarity. However the motto does make one have to ask where is it from and for whom? Any thoughts out there?

Bill

[Jean Pierre Redeuilh]

I will not pronounce myself on this particuliar buckle since it is not my field of interest or knowledge but if we read books concerning the 7th SS Div., especially some heavy loaded with first hand photos, we will notice that buckles shown are of the common SS variant. So, my own feeling is that, even if this buckle could be legitimately attached to the "Prinz Eugen" div., (why not) it was not an enforced rule. Furthermore the 7th was one of the few "freiwilligen" divisions to be held more as a "germanic" division than others. So, I don't think any reason to have another buckle than the common SS regulation.
Of course, this is only an opinion and my input can be dicarded.

[Jean Pierre Redeuilh]

GAU ESSEN Buckles: SS Related ?

Hello,

Everybody in the German belt buckles collecting knows the famous and scarce "Gau Essen" buckle which is attached by previous authors as an SS Buckle never been approved to wear. But is there ANY official document or evidence proving this is accurate or is it still another information carried over and over without confirmation ?

I will be very glad to have any positive input.

[Wickie]

Hello Jean Pierre & All,

I'm of course also interested in this theme, for this I'm looking for the following informations:

1. Who knows if "Josef Terboven" (Gau leader from Essen) was ever SS member?

2. Who can give informations about the SS in Essen. As far as my knowledge the 11. Standarte was in this city. Who can tell me something about this unit(date of found...).


Christian

[Marc verstraete]

I recently have seen a incredible grouping of a SS officer from Essen, all the documents, uniforms, medals, caps, buckles from the same person who was fighting in WWI and joined the SS in the early days (before 1930). I will post pictures as soon as I can take pictures of the items. The grouping includes a nickel officer buckle with no markings, some EM nickel buckles, many pictures and documents and ……………..A Gau Essen EM buckle!!
The grouping is 100% original from the family.

As for Josef Terboven, I used to have his SA general’s uniform and cap ( I sold it meanwhile to a collector in Belgium) I do not think he was ever in the SS.

Marc V

[Jean Pierre Redeuilh]

Hello Marc,

This would be very, very interesting since it will at least gives some firmer ground to this buckle been SS related.
So far, many book authors worldwide did relate this buckle to the SS, but none seems to be able to say why. I guess since the information had been published once a long time ago and never been contested, it is now taken as granted.
But with the worldwide connection brings us the internet, and after realizing several publications were not based on evidence, many SS Buckles collectors asked me about evidence of such. None is contesting the originality of those buckles but the question remained the same: "Is it an "SS" buckle ?".
I personnaly cannot answer to this question since I do not have myself any clue or evidence. Like everybody else I am following the common assumption. The only person to have told me there was an evidence several months ago was you, but we forgot all about this subject since.
So, is it this grouping you were refering or do you know also something else?

In any case, Thank You again for sharing it with us !!

[Jean Pierre Redeuilh]

Any new input / update ??

[Jean Pierre Redeuilh]

Still waiting for ANY evidence this buckle is SS related, ANY...

[Derek Gloster]

SS Gau Essen EM buckle

I was talking to a collector at the last San Diego show. He said that the SS Gau Essen Em buckle is considered quite rare in Europe. Is this true?

[Tyler Ramsey]

Yes, These belt buckles are very rare, I see them sell for around $1,500. Do you have one?

[Jean Pierre Redeuilh]

They are very rare anywhere, not only in Europe.
Matter of fact they seem (and it is the current consensus) to come from one single box. After war, all remaining Gau Essen buckles along with other goods were purchased from the Assmann factory in the late 50's and sold mostly in the US.

If interested, I have one available.

[David North]

"Gau Essen"

J P - what an interesting response. I have often wondered as to why all the images that I have seen over the years of this most rare buckle, all appear very roughly the same by colour, degree of wear, construction et al. It would now appear that all the pieces originate from a single batch and box. How many buckles would you consider could be in circulation from the 1950's. Also, is there any period photograph or say manufacturers catalogue dignifying this buckle, or is all the supporting information merely anecdotal. Why would the SS of Gau Essen commission their own and dedicated buckle, whilst any other SS did not. Finally, what is the supposed manufacturing period and do you think that they were ever actually issued and worn. Look forward to your comments. Regards - David

[Jean Pierre Redeuilh]

Hello David,
First let me tell you that I do NOT believe the Gau Essen buckles are SS related at all. Rare and beautiful, yes. SS, no.
Cross references from various sources are coming to the same point: even the original person who bought the box in the 50's does not have any reason to believe they are SS related. Those buckles were sold between $5 and $20 in the USA after been purchased in Germany (so it shows the great interest at this time). Same cross references from old timers are coming to the same amount: about 4 dozen of buckles were found.
All these buckles are in nickel silver, so the manufacture date is before mid 30's as this metal was discontinued for manufacture of German belt buckles after that period. Why are we saying Assmann made those buckles? First, because the stock was purchased from the Assmann factory, second because the catch on Gau Essen buckles is strictly identical to nickel silver rural police (Landpolizei) EM buckles made by Assmann (and bearing his trademark). So far, I don't know any photo evidence relating this buckle to the SS or any document enforcing this idea.
The ONLY connection, and this does not prove anything (at least to me), is a Gau Essen buckle found with an SS Officer estate after war. Along with documents showing this SS officer was stationned in the Essen district for a while, a worn (the buckle was not mint like the others) Gau Essen buckle and a classical nickel silver SS Officer buckle were found. As I said, this is nothing for me. The SS Officer could have bought this buckle as souvenir or whatever. Anyway, I did not see myself this estate, neither did I saw photos of it. It was reported to me by an advanced buckles collector that I trust words.

[Jean Pierre Redeuilh]

I forgot to add that I also never saw anything printed or pictured before 1945 showing or advertising the Gau Essen buckle (for SS or not)