Help with SS Officer Buckle

[RobertE]

I would recommend you join Jean Pierre's SS buckle forum and read up on these...there are many varying levels of fakes on these and there is a lot to know...JP's group is great.

John; Chris - Thanks for the insights. I appreciate you steering me clear of a costly mistake! s/f Robert

[Robin Lumsden]

I would recommend you join Jean Pierre's SS buckle forum and read up on these...there are many varying levels of fakes on these and there is a lot to know...JP's group is great.

Yes.......I think I need to do that!

[Jean Pierre Redeuilh]

Hi All,

I did not jump earlier in the thread since I already gave my call on this exact buckle in another thread, but I did not provide any specific reason. It is indeed a hungarian reproduction which was introduced in early 2001. After the high success of fake officer 36/39's, which were first cast from originals, fakers introduced few die stamped fake 36/39's with major improvement over the cast production especially with much convincing crimps. But I guess collectors were so concern in the purchase of any officer 36/39 that the sales were less than anticipated. So, following was the same die stuck but using a different marking: 36/40 (which is also found on original buckles). Both production have very specific features, some I said in my own Group (like recalled by John T.), some I said orally (like recalled by Chris) and some I still keep silent. The visible or not outer ring surrounding the 4 hallmarks is not a 100% valid clue, even if reproductions are based only on the variant without it (this is the reason why some collectors are buying by now only original variants with this outer ring visible to be safe). But weak crimps are very typical of this fake which has nothing to compare even to the few weakest crimps found on originals (there is some - few - but still there).
As of today, the best reproduction made for a SS Officer in aluminum.

[Jean Pierre Redeuilh]

For your interest:

http://daggers.infopop.cc/eve/ubb.x?...086#9603098086

[RobertE]

Hi All,

I did not jump earlier in the thread since I already gave my call on this exact buckle in another thread, but I did not provide any specific reason. It is indeed a hungarian reproduction which was introduced in early 2001. After the high success of fake officer 36/39's, which were first cast from originals, fakers introduced few die stamped fake 36/39's with major improvement over the cast production especially with much convincing crimps. But I guess collectors were so concern in the purchase of any officer 36/39 that the sales were less than anticipated. So, following was the same die stuck but different marking: 36/40. Both production have very specific features, some I said in my own Group (like recalled by John T.), some I said orally (like recalled by Chris) and some I still keep silent. The visible or not outer ring surrounding the 4 hallmarks is not a 100% valid clue, even if reproductions are reproducing only on the variant without it. But weak crimps are very typical of this fake.

Jean,
Thanks for the comprehensive history on these buckles. I really appreciate the help - s/f Robert

[SScollector]

JP,

Would you please tell us what mistakes I made in regard to the things that I pointed out to be incorrect features on this buckle?

Thanks! Chris