HJ Buckle ?

[Dan-K]

Pardon the crappy pics but can anyone tell me if this is legit or a reproduction. Thanks in advance.

[Dan-K]

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[aechols83]

An original solid nickel HJ buckle by F.W. Assmann. These are commonly found with the markings to the right and left of GES. GESCH. ground off (period done.) Attached is an example with the markings as originally stamped.

Best,
Adam

[patrick99]

Why (buckle of Dan) are there in the corners (on the side of the maker) some cutting of or sawing? Or does it seems so??

[aechols83]

Hi Patrick,

You're referring to where the original markings were ground off. While I am not sure why some of these buckles had the Assmann-specific markings ground off, I'm certain it was period done and by the manufacturers.

While we do not fully know the relationships between the buckle making companies, it seems that some supplied parts of buckles to others, and may have actually made buckles for other companies. So perhaps this buckle was Assmann-made but sold to another company. For instance, Overhoff & Cie had a close, enigmatic relationship with Assmann in the early days of the HJ buckle as we see with the Overhoff/Assmann "double maker marked" nickel silver HJ's. I have attached a couple examples of these buckles from my collection. Hope that helps.

Best,
Adam

[aechols83]

Double maker marked, including additional RZM UE71 (Overhoff) marked prongs.

[wilhelm Saris]

During one of my visits to Overhof in the mid-seventies I showed them a double marked Assmann/Overhoff buckle. They denied ever having cooperated with Assmann and were wondered themselves how such buckle could exist!! The buckle I showed them was anyway original in all of its production-procedures. That was the good thing, which came out of the conversation. But I still had a question (until today). So, as they deny and don't know, how will we ever get an answer for why there were buckles with these double markings.

With a later visit I asked them if they ever had sold dies or licenses and their answer was they never did, but that after the war some of their old dies were used for making enlisted ranks buckles and officer's buckle reproductions. They extra noted these buckles did not come from their company! They further told that old dies were transported to scrap-dealers. There they were lying around and easily could have been taken by anyone that visited the "junk heap"! This is indeed true, as I have seen old dies myself (company-marks I don't remember after about 60 years), when I was a youngster and had no interest at all in Third Reich collecting. I was then about 12 years old, visiting family in the Lüdenscheid/Altena-area.

[greenwave7]

...and... not only HJ buckles have double marked (O&C+Assmann marks, I mean), also SS i.e.

Andrea