Dr Franke & Co LW Buckles

[Gene]

I have two Luftwaffe buckles made by the firm of Dr. Franke & Co which are both dated 1942. It's interesting that this firm either stamped the tab or the buckle, but not both.

[Pieter Verbruggen]

DR FRANKE & CO LW BUCKLES

DEAR GENE
THIS IS INTERESTING. IS IT POSSIBLE TO SCAN BOTH BUCKLES THE ONE WITH AND THE ONE WITHOUT THE TAB BESIDE EACHOTHER, FRONT AND BACK.
JUST TO SEE IF THEY ARE IDENTICAL AND CAME FROM THE SAME DIES.
IT WOULD BE STRANGE TO ME THAT AT THE TIME OF ASSEMBLING THESE BUCKLES THEY WOULD TAKE NOTICE TO BUT A MARKED BUCKLE ON A MARKED TAB AND VISA VERSA.
PIETER.

[Gene]

Here's a scan of the front of both buckles. Even though these are both by Dr. Franke they do not match each other in construction yet I'm positive both are 100% original. The buckle with the tab has a taller center section when looked at on it's side.

[Gene]

Pic of the reverse. The hooks are different as are the top and bottom flanges.

[Pieter Verbruggen]

DR FRANKE & CO LW BUCKLES

DEAR GENE

ONE THING IS SURE BOTH YOUR BUCKLES ARE ORIGINAL.
ALTHOUGH THE SECOND ONE IS WELL USED I THINK THEY COME FROM THE SAME DIES. YUST THE ASSAMBLING IS LITTLE DIFFERENT.
SURE IS THAT THE 42 DATED BUCKLE WAS MADE IN 42 AND THE ONE WITH THE TAB ASSAMBLED IN 42. IT IS POSSIBLE THAT THE THE ONE WITH THE TAB WAS MADE ON A PRIOR DATE.
NICE TO SHOW US THIS .
PIETER.

[Jos L C]

Hi Gene,
First of all great pics !
I also think both buckles came from the same die.
Inspite of the worn buckle they have the same features IMO.
Thanks for sharing,

Jos.

[Zach]

Here's one I bought from Detlev a couple of months ago. (Funny, but the eagle's wings look a lot more narrow when looked at straight down.)