RAD officers buckle

[George Stimson]

Those are great looking buckles, Ray!

[BLANKEWAFFEN]

What would be the average retail price on a RAD Officer's belt buckle? I havn't seen any for sale lately, only General Officer's for around $800. and those that come with the brocade belt that usually sell for around $500. Mike

[Radcollector]

What would be the average retail price on a RAD Officer's belt buckle? I havn't seen any for sale lately, only General Officer's for around $800. and those that come with the brocade belt that usually sell for around $500. Mike

Hello,

all the RAD officers buckles i have seen lately have been in the $180-$220 range,thats why i was instantly supicious when i was offered this one for so cheap and especially when i saw how much the seller was asking on other items he had,allmost all his items were overpriced except the officers buckle,which was very underpriced-it made me wonder why!

yancy

[Raymond]

Yancy,

Sorry to take so long to post more photos.Went to Carlisle PA for a Corvette show(my other obsession).

One thing to look for is the thickness of the catch.Originals are stamped from a metal sheet,so it has a uniform thickness.A repro is usually cast so the area of the 90 degree bend will be thicker than the tip.I don't have any repros on hand but you should understand what I mean with these photos.

Thanks Geroge.
Ray

[Raymond]

From the other side.

[Radcollector]

From the other side.

Hello Raymond,

thanks for additional pictures and information,ive handled many RAD officers buckles in the last few years,it was still the price and condition of this one that had me doubting it for a minute,ive cut and pasted it next to the pics of mine the seller sent ,your picture of the reverse and mine are identical in every way,the catch is the same thickness,the makers mark is identical in the shape and location etc,mine is just in near mint condition,a steal of a buy indeed!here is a picture of the front im haveing trouble getting a good picture of the back/maker mark as my camera is no good at close ups-the red tint is from my flash,thanks again!

[Raymond]

Great looking buckle Yancy.Glad to hear you got it at a good price.Sometimes people know what top dollar is and they price their item lower for a quick sale.Sometimes they don't.That's why the saying "knoweledge is power" is so correct.If you know good from bad and its value you'll never be taken advantage of.

Ray