Reichsbahn buckle (leather tab)

[Ssteve]

Hello,

Don't collect as much as before, but I still like to pick up nice buckles when I can.

Anyhow, I just picked up this nice aluminum Reichsbahn buckle with a leather support tab. The buckle is unmarked and the tab is nicely marked Richard Sieper Sohne Ludenschied 1937. Though these aren't usually found with tabs I feel confident that the tab is original to the buckle.

Any opinions good or bad are welcome. I would also like to see any other tabbed examples if anyone has any to share.

Thanks,
Steve

[Ssteve]

Reichsbahn buckle

reverse..........

[Ssteve]

Reichsbahn buckle

Markings

[helmutderpa]

Hello Steve,

Nice buckle allthough I personally think that the tab is not original to the buckle.
I do not like the stiching of the tab. Furthermore this maker has always marked his buckles themselves with RS&S...
Might be wrong.

[Ssteve]

Hi Simon,

You are correct and maybe I should have said I believe the tab to be "period" application rather than "original" (factory). However, the condition/usuage of both the tab and buckle makes me believe a period attachment.

Also, I appreciate your opinion, however, could you explain what you don't like about the stitching other than " I do not like the stitching". It's kind of an open ended statement that offers no help.

I only have a hand full of tabbed buckles left and the stitching looks like all the others in everyway that I can see. Though I maybe overlooking something?

For what it is worth I think Marc has a nickel Reichsbahn with a Herman Aurich tab on it.

Thanks,
Steve



Steve

Hello Steve,

Nice buckle allthough I personally think that the tab is not original to the buckle.
I do not like the stiching of the tab. Furthermore this maker has always marked his buckles themselves with RS&S...
Might be wrong.

[Ric Ferrari]

Hello Steve,

by the pics posted it seems Simon could be right : stitching apart, I strongly believe the buckle was made by Assmann even if unmarked.

Here's an example by Assmann from my collection, please look at the letters shape : in my opinion it's the exact same as on your buckle.

Ric

[Ric Ferrari]

...and here's the same close-up on a buckle by R.S.& S. : again look carefully at the letters shape.

Ric

[Mac 66]

Steve nice buckle wouldn,t mind it myself ........i cant see a problem with the stitching on the tab looks ok to my eyes .........cheers scott.

[Ssteve]

Hi Ric,

As always I appreciate your opinion and help. I have no doubt that the buckle probably is Assmann, in fact, I detect a slight "crimp" in the claws.

However, I would like to know why Simon does not like the stitching? I know this is not a buckle not commonly found with a tab, but does not mean it couldn't have been done "period". Just wondering if I'm overlooking a flaw in the stitching? It looks good to me?

Thanks,
Steve

Hello Steve,

by the pics posted it seems Simon could be right : stitching apart, I strongly believe the buckle was made by Assmann even if unmarked.

Here's an example by Assmann from my collection, please look at the letters shape : in my opinion it's the exact same as on your buckle.

Ric

[Ssteve]

Thanks for the kind words Scott.

Steve

Steve nice buckle wouldn,t mind it myself ........i cant see a problem with the stitching on the tab looks ok to my eyes .........cheers scott.

[helmutderpa]

Any opinions good or bad are welcome.
Thanks,
Steve

Steve,

That is only my opinion. I also added :"might be wrong".

Well, Ric has confirmed that the buckle is not from that maker.
My experience tells me that tab maker should always match buckle maker for WWII buckles (not in the case of WWI buckles).

The stitching looks not original to my eyes but it is just a gut feel, from the thousands tab I have seen till now. That's why I call that "my opinion" and is not 100% sure the truth.

Hope this helps.

[Marc verstraete]

Hello all,
Yes, you are correct, the maker could be and is most probably Assmann... or not... The tab is period, that is sure, the stitching looks OK to me.... but I can not put my hand in fire as indeed, “normally” the tab and buckle must have the same maker on them.... <?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /><o></o>
Who can, after 70 years say for 100% tabs where not period added or replaced...? Also, most of these buckles where made by RS&S.... Way could RS&S not have ordered a quantity of such buckles from Assmann for a back-up order and put there own RS&S tab on these buckles??? Reason the buckle would not be marked?? <o></o>
As seen on SS buckles for which much more research has been done, it is not uncommon that Assmann produced for Overhoff, Overhoff for Assmann and other companies did the same between them....
or the owner had a used RS&S buckle, got a new "Assmann" one with no tab and replaced it or had it done by a shoemaker ?

I own indeed a few buckles, les than 10 of the 2000+ post WW1 I own and who are 100% not messed with and have non matching tabs; So....
<o></o>
I like the buckle, the stitching looks OK and old from what I see on the pictures.<o></o>
<o></o>
Marc<o></o>

[Ssteve]

Many thanks for your kind words Marc !

I was thinking this, but couldn't put it into words like you did.

Thanks again for taking the time to reply !

Steve

Hello all,
Yes, you are correct, the maker could be and is most probably Assmann... or not... The tab is period, that is sure, the stitching looks OK to me.... but I can not put my hand in fire as indeed, “normally” the tab and buckle must have the same maker on them.... <O></O>
Who can, after 70 years say for 100% tabs where not period added or replaced...? Also, most of these buckles where made by RS&S.... Way could RS&S not have ordered a quantity of such buckles from Assmann for a back-up order and put there own RS&S tab on these buckles??? Reason the buckle would not be marked?? <O></O>
As seen on SS buckles for which much more research has been done, it is not uncommon that Assmann produced for Overhoff, Overhoff for Assmann and other companies did the same between them....
or the owner had a used RS&S buckle, got a new "Assmann" one with no tab and replaced it or had it done by a shoemaker ?

I own indeed a few buckles, les than 10 of the 2000+ post WW1 I own and who are 100% not messed with and have non matching tabs; So....
<O></O>
I like the buckle, the stitching looks OK and old from what I see on the pictures.<O></O>
<O></O>
Marc<O></O>

[Jerry Burney]

Reichsbahn buckle

I purchased this buckle from Steve. I have had a chance to inspect it closely since recieving it.
My qualifications in the area of original thread cannot be surpassed by anyone on this or any other Forum.
I restore German leather holsters and have for the last 10 years so I have seen more than my share of German thread & stitching up close and personal.
This leather tab was sewn on by machine, using linen thread. It is just as it should be.
Since I am a novice at collecting German belt buckles I cannot express any further knowledge as the other members have. German stitching I do know however.
Thanks Steve for offering such a beautiful specemine.
Mark I appreciate your expertise and comments/
The next victim on my list is a POSTSCHUTZ....Or perhaps a WHERWOLF!
Thanks, Jerry Burney

lugerholsterrepair@earthlink.net

[Bigbander]

Is This A Real Or Repro Reichsbahn Belt Buckle / Belt

Please help...is this real? You can click on the pics in the link for a bigger view. I am new to the site and still seem to have problems nav back to where I want to go...can you guys email me at nospamforjohn at yahoo.com and post here?
CLICK HERE TO BE TAKEN TO THE ITEM IN QUESTION Thanks, John