Injection-Molded 'Kriegsmetall' Police Buckle

[Belten]

I saw one of these for sale on eMedals recently, and it was described as being Dutch-made. I know that people have theorized for a long time that these were made in one of the occupied countries, but is there any evidence to suggest that they were made specifically in the Netherlands? Does anyone know of any proven Dutch buckles with similar characteristics?

The buckle is made of low-quality, injection-molded 'Kriegsmetall', while the tab is some sort of cheap ersatz leather. Based on these characteristics, and the fact that many survive in mint condition, I think it's safe to assume that these were late-war products.

[klr]

The lack of quality makes me believe these weren't German made. It is hard to call them late war when tabs stopped being used in 1942. A bunch of these may have been make and rejected. Most of them I have seen are in excellent condition. The example in my collection came on a matching belt.

[Belten]

The lack of quality makes me believe these weren't German made. It is hard to call them late war when tabs stopped being used in 1942. A bunch of these may have been make and rejected. Most of them I have seen are in excellent condition. The example in my collection came on a matching belt.

I have the belt as well, but the hook is broken on mine, so I didn't bother showing it here.

The reason I believe they're late war is because of the type of leather the tab is made of. It seems more like cardboard than leather to me, which makes it seem to be very low quality and probably some sort of ersatz product. I've never seen such a tab on any German buckle, but maybe it was commonly used in some other country.

So far, I'm aware of WWII-era buckles that can definitely be traced to Norway, Belgium and the Netherlands, but I've never seen one constructed like these police buckles. If there is something out there that is positively identifiable, that would clear it up!

[kirilla444]

I have information that this Belgian production.

[klr]

What type of information?

[Belten]

I wouldn't be surprised to learn that they were Belgian-made. Is there any evidence?

[Dave C.]

I would also be most interested in what information is known to associate where made. Please let us know. Thanks!

[kirilla444]

I do not correctly put it through a translator. This is not information, but my assumption, Based on a comparison with buckles Luftwaffe and Wehrmacht, the Belgian production.

[KC1]

I don't think there is any evidence that these pot metal or white metal buckles were exclusively manufactured in Belgium. There have been sales boards I have seen in the past from German manufacturers that show these type buckles on them; as early as 1938 if I recall. This is not to say that these type buckles could not have been manufactured in Belgium as many types of buckles were.

[Belten]

I don't think there is any evidence that these pot metal or white metal buckles were exclusively manufactured in Belgium. There have been sales boards I have seen in the past from German manufacturers that show these type buckles on them; as early as 1938 if I recall. This is not to say that these type buckles could not have been manufactured in Belgium as many types of buckles were.

Are you referring to regular injection-molded buckles, or this particular type? Regular injection-molded aluminum police buckles were made in the early days (pre-war), and are well known products of Sieper and Schröder. They're much higher in quality than these 'Kriegsmetall' versions.

[brus]

...Regular injection-molded aluminum police buckles were made in the early days (pre-war), and are well known products of Sieper and Schröder. They're much higher in quality than these 'Kriegsmetall' versions.

Agree
The buckles of this thread are more raw than classic injection-molded... furthermore by the metal used I think they may be late-war... (just a guess, no evidence of that).

Regards
brus

[KC1]

I don't think I ever stated "injection molded" in my comment. I am referring to pot metal or white metal buckles as the one posted.

[Belten]

I don't think I ever stated "injection molded" in my comment. I am referring to pot metal or white metal buckles as the one posted.

Pot metal buckles are well known from numerous German manufacturers, irrespective of sales boards. Besides the ubiquitous HJ buckles, there are SS, DRK and others that bear markings of German companies.

[KC1]

I believe we are saying the same thing.