My newest acquisition - comments welcomed

[KC1]

I have just received my newest collectable via Germany and wanted to share. This is a beautiful Political belt and buckle. The maker is M 4/43, H.A. Erbe from Schmalkalden. It has the original tag afixed to the back of the buckle (as shown). The belt is marked Kernstuck L4/2607/38 and has, I am assuming, the original owners name, L Wurxer Steyr.

Very much untouched and with limited wear. Hope you enjoy as well.

Dan

[KC1]

reverse with tag

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belt markings

[KC1]

Ok ... here are the belt markings

[KC1]

another stamp on belt

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the whole enchilada ...

[Wickie]

Hello Dan,

your rig has some things which I can not bring together in the moment. Even if it doens't look like, is it possible that belt & buckle don't belong together?

The maker L4/2607 is "Franz Wimmer" in Mattighofen (Austria), this fits perfectly to the austrian city "Steyr". But the PL buckle was introduced in mid 1939, so I do have a problem with year "38".

Not sure, but I think the maker "M4/43" had no RZM license in 1938. I know a few PL buckles with this maker. They come with unmarked or M4/39 (=F.W. Assmann & Söhne) marked tag. And I know them always in zinc. Which means they are made after 1941, or probably after 1942!


Christian

[KC1]

Christian,

Thanks for your feedback. The stiching on the belt looks original and the paper is afixed solidly to buckle. Both belt and buckle have the single circle RZM logo. Let me know if you find out anything further on this. Hopefully other colleagues can chime in on their opinions as well.

Thanks - Dan

[David North]

Dan

Thankyou for posting the PL "set" and something, which is not seen on the forum particularly often.

As Christian has so rightly confirmed, the PL buckle was introduced in 1939, although it does not overly worry me that the strap is date stamped 1938. Like yourself, I think that the distinct PL style fixed keeper has always been in place, as the integrity and style of the stitching looks fine.

I assume that the buckle is "free" from the strap, rather than being "fixed". What is the buckle metal ?

Your are aware of course that one of the leather "slides" is missing, or rather, only one has been shown on the images.

Unusual to see the RZM tax label. This would originally, not have been stuck to the back of the buckle and instead, have been a loose label and affixed to the buckle fittings, via an integral paper loop. Is it capable of being taken off and unfolded ?

Any possibility of an image toward the makers mark and the inner leather adjustment strap ?

Rather nice set and again, not often shown within the forum.

Regards,

David

[KC1]

David / Christian,

Thanks for your feedback and let me provide you more photos. Let me also answer some of the questions you asked.

1. The buckle is free from the belt for adjustment purposes (see photo)
2. David, you are correct that this belt is missing a leather slide as only one is with the belt.
3. Absolutley, that this belt and buckle could have been matched together at some point in time but as in Angolia's book, Belt Buckles and Brocades(see page 164), it is the same leather designation "Kernstuck" L4/2607/38 associated with the 1939 PL gold buckle that he has shown. Not saying that this is correct but that there is another instance other than this one showing belt and buckle
4. I am providing photos of the buckles RZM marking. I was able to unfold the paper without to much difficulty but as the photo will show it is afixed by a staple (somewhat aged w/rust). This RZM tag shows the blue "39" stamp as well as the number association.
5. I have provided photos also of the inner leather adjustment strap.

Look forward to hearign from you again.

Cheers,
Dan

[KC1]

Unfolded RZM label

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buckle RZM maker mark

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front of buckle

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Reverse

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inner leather adjustment strap