Hello all (and specially Marc). Your opinion on the authenticity of this belt buckle ? Thanks and cordially
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Other side -
Stahlhelmbund - Tell me the truth
Hi. And what about the authenticity of this one? Thank you for your help.Comment
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Other sideComment
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As for all WWII and Weimar period buckles one has to be careful these days to make a definitive decision on the authenticity of a buckle by seeing just a picture.
Excellent fakes have been around for over 40 years, the British WWI brass / nickel buckles made during the 60’s where of EXCELLENT quality and are now sold as real by all dealers. Only slight details give them away. More recently, excellent fakes of these buckles, including for the first time Navy buckles have been produced again. These last ones are artificially aged and coated with a fake patina.
Real buckles are often used as support to fake insets, this has always been done but lately some fakers have started to do this with refined methods. Only a hand held inspection by a long time and objective collector in the field will determine the authenticity of a piece. Both the buckles posted above look good but I would need to have them in my hands to give a definitive answer. I for example don’t like the non-folded “ears” on the navy buckle. Also, the patina on the inset is too different than the buckle itself.
Marc
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Hello Marc. Tkanks for your experienced commentaries. About the navy buckle : 1 Is the test "non folded ears" decisive or not ? 2. The patina of the inset is different than the buckle himself because (perhaps ?) I have cleaned the inset before photography ! Cordially. FrancisLast edited by Marc verstraete; 07-06-2004, 03:36 AM.Comment
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Hello Francis,
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The “ears” are not decisive, it is just one point. From the picture the prong sleeve look very thin and I see like traces of new rust on the edges of the prong sleeve and the buckle.
If you have cleaned the inset this also might make a difference.
Like I said, the buckles look OK, there are more plus points than negative points on them but I need the in my hands to be definitive. WWI and earlier buckles are not like SS buckles, they do not follow a strike regulation, many buckles where hand assembled or made by small family shops. There is unfortunately no “rule”, just guidelines.
I see you are from Belgium, are you going to some of the local shows?
MarcComment
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I do like the Stahlhelmbund buckle and it looks most similar to the one detailed on page 376 of the Angolia publication, albeit a fraction more tired and distressed. In addition, I am sure that this same buckle has been discussed and posted before on the Forum.
An unusual, early and quite hard to find veterans buckle and which enjoys a distinct and eccentric helmet design.
I have seen this buckle with differing methods of construction, although to date and without wishing to tempt fate, no fakes.
Regards,
DavidComment
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Francis
I think that this is the same veterans buckle that you hold.
Regards,
DavidLast edited by David North; 09-10-2006, 09:44 AM.Comment
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Hello David. Thank you for your answer. Indeed, it is the same buckle but the conditions are not comparable ! It is true I prefer to leave them in their "jus" (as said in my country), it is undoubtedly an error. Cordially. FrancisComment
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