Thuringen belt buckle

[FactionR]

Got a new interesting belt buckle today. I was wondering if some of you can chime in on its use/history. I haven't found many pictures of this buckle, but its been described as a fire buckle for the state of Thuringen.

Its silver washed but also looks like at some point it had white paint applied to it. The fingernail scratch did not take any of it off so it was not a cheap spray paint post war. Also interesting are the prongs being broken off.

[klr]

It is the only Fire buckle with a swastika. I don't like the way the keeper is attached. It should fit without so much extra room. I have seen one of these and the prongs were sharply reverse cut. This one has had the prongs cut in half.


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[FactionR]

I do feel like the keeper is loose. Possibly not original to the buckle?

The prongs are not cut at all but broken. Been trying to get a better picture of it, but the are definitely not cut.

[klr]

I have seen the same buckle with the identical keeper. I can't say 100% if it's good or bad, Just pointing out what I don't like. What ever was done to the prongs had to be intentional. Steel prongs don't just break. I would take some effort. I own dozens of officers buckles and none of them have such a small loop for attaching the prong bar. I have handled a much nicer version of this buckle and it was much better quality and the construction was what I usually see in officers buckles.


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[FactionR]

I have seen the same buckle with the identical keeper. I can't say 100% if it's good or bad, Just pointing out what I don't like. What ever was done to the prongs had to be intentional. Steel prongs don't just break. I would take some effort. I own dozens of officers buckles and none of them have such a small loop for attaching the prong bar. I have handled a much nicer version of this buckle and it was much better quality and the construction was what I usually see in officers buckles.


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I certainly agree the prong damage was intentional. I agree there is no way i could see that happening under any normal condition.

The detail is rather nice when its close up in person. My cell phone doesn't yield the best pictures. The crud/paint on it is what seems to detract from the detail of the stamping in my opinion. Its so thick on the lower left leave that it almost covers all the veining detail on it, but it is present under it you can tell.

[klr]

Search Thuringen and you will find an old thread with this buckle. Collectors pointed out the same things I didn't like.


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[FactionR]

I did see that thread. Bit of a strange one. Why would anyone try to repro this buckle? I just do see the motivation or market for it like an SS buckle would have.

There is another one here that is silver washed like mine (was):
http://militaryrelics.com/2017/05/ge...police-buckle/

[klr]

I sent a buddy photos of your buckle. He has over 2000 buckles with most of the Fire Defense buckles. I'll see if he has any other buckles constructed like this.


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[klr]

He got back and doesn't have any other buckle with this construction.


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[FactionR]

He got back and doesn't have any other buckle with this construction.


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Hmmm. It seems that so few of these exist. I guess I just feel that if it was a reproduction it would exist in greater numbers out there.

[klr]

It could be real but it is always going to be questionable. I have only handled one that I was 100% sure was original. It wasn't for sale. The guy had bought it at the SOS.


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[FactionR]

Got a chance to get some better pictures of the front with a much better camera in the direct sun light.









And here it is compared to similar buckles in my collection for a reference: