Assmann SS Buckles 155/40 in depth (Part 5 & End)

[Jean Pierre Redeuilh]

Fakes:

In the very last years (1996 to present) fakers produced a full line of steel and aluminum fake SS Buckles with RZM 155/40 SS marking. If the aluminum version is seldom seen, the steel one is wide spread everywhere is several variants. I usually name those different variants by "Generation". First Generation been how they originally appeared on the market, 2nd Generation been the first evolution from the original patern with features improved, etc...

I will not post all "Generations" since the main patern remains the same and if you study and compare those photos with the originals already posted you will be able to avoid any "Generation". What remains constant is the eagle's design wich is NOT at all an Assmann design, and the lack of crisp details on the buckle's back.

[Jean Pierre Redeuilh]

Difference in Eagle's design

[Jean Pierre Redeuilh]

Fake 155/40 Steel First Generation

[Jean Pierre Redeuilh]

Fake 155/40 Steel First Generation - Back -

NOTE: Prongs Tips cut at a 45 degree angle

[Jean Pierre Redeuilh]

Fake 155/40 Steel First Generation - Prongs Tips Detail -

[Jean Pierre Redeuilh]

Fake 155/40 Steel First Generation - Marking under the post/prongs assembly -

[Jean Pierre Redeuilh]

Fake 155/40 Steel First Generation - Marking under the post/prongs assembly Detail -

NOTE: It is the same marking which is also on the fake 155/40 with marking by the catch

[Jean Pierre Redeuilh]

Fake 155/40 Steel 2nd Generation - Prongs are modified and no longer cut at 45 degree angle -

[Jean Pierre Redeuilh]

Fake 155/40 Steel 2nd Generation Back - Prongs are modified and no longer cut at 45 degree angle -

[Jean Pierre Redeuilh]

Fake 155/40 Steel 3nd Generation - Prongs could be modified or not, buckle is artificially aged, leather tab is added -

[Jean Pierre Redeuilh]

Last variant of this fake. The wrong eagle's design has been slighty modified (more pointed top feather on eagle's head) and better details on the buckle back along with a more convincing catch. But still nothing to compare with any original Assmann SS buckle made in 1940.

[Jean Pierre Redeuilh]

Fake 155/40 in aluminum

As with all the production of such fakes, the fake buckle is cast from an original. Size is smaller, some details can not be duplicated, overall finish is rough, etc, etc...

Here is the fake 155/39 which is the exact same as the fake 155/40 except for marking which is RZM 155/39 SS instead of RZM 155/40 SS.

[Jean Pierre Redeuilh]

Fake 155/40 in aluminum - Back -

[Jean Pierre Redeuilh]

Fake 155/40 in aluminum - Prongs -

Note difference with originals

[Jean Pierre Redeuilh]

Fake 155/40 in aluminum - Casting lines -

Note obvious casting lines never on originals