Detecting the fake aluminium S H D - Luftschutz buckle

[Ssteve]

Close up........

[John T]

Steve, I believe your piece to be original....I feel that your example has honest wear to the aluminum as opposed to poor detailing from a poor cast job as you would see on a fake and feel it to match the good one David has posted...one thing that struck me right away is that your example has a finish while the fake that David posted does not, John

[Ric Ferrari]

Hello,
First thanks for taking the time to put this great thread together David! Very informative and great observations. Though I've posted my SHD before and it was given the thumbs up I'll post it again for comparision and opinions.

I must say David that when I initally saw your fake SHD on the e-stand I got an empty feeling in my stomach about mine. But after reviewing your comparision photos I'm confident that its original, but still would like your opinion and others to. Thanks

regards,
Steve

Hi Steve,

your SHD alu buckle is indeed original !

Regards

Ric

[David North]

Thankyou for all the words of support on this one chaps, although I have really just cobbled together various ideas and notions, previously discussed on the forum. It is only recently however that I have secured an original SHD, in order to make a "real time" comparison.

The fake is still and in my opinion a real oddity item, not often seen and hence, the reason why I placed mine on the estand.

John, I will put together some images of the two buckles side by side in order to gauge the size difference, although I suspect with the new generation of cast fakes, the reduced proportions are less dramatic.

The " instant guide" has immediately clicked in with the SHD that Steve posted and of note, the smooth aluminium surface with traces of silver grey lacquer and the stalks to the oak leaf spray, being very pronounced with a clear cross cut profile.

The box ears, claws and catch on the originals to the fakes are different also, however now, quite academic features.

Regards,

David

[Ssteve]

David,
I would be very interested to hear your observations in these areas. At times I lack a critical eye and for me, especially the catch's and ears, seem identicial and hard to differentiate.

Steve
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The box ears, claws and catch on the originals to the fakes are different also, however now, quite academic features.

Regards,

David[/quote]

[John T]

..edit....

John, I will put together some images of the two buckles side by side in order to gauge the size difference, although I suspect with the new generation of cast fakes, the reduced proportions are less dramatic.

...edit...

Regards,

David

Hi Dave...that would be great!!! What I would also be curious is the length of the wings on the real vs the fake...as I recall on the fake SS EM/NCOs had shorter general proportions to the features even when the lengthened the overall dimensions of the fake...John

[David North]

Here we go chaps - some more images.

No need to isolate this time, which one is which.

Regards,

David

[David North]

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[David North]

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[David North]

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[David North]

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[David North]

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[David North]

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[Ric Ferrari]

Here we go chaps - some more images.

No need to isolate this time, which one is which.

Regards,

David

The pictures explain better than any comment and your job is greatly appreciated, David.

Ric

[John T]

Thanks for the extra pictures David!! You can definately see the difference in the length...looks to me to be at least 4 mm. John