LW Paratrooper Uberfallhosen: Metal or aluminum belt buckles?

[17thairborne]

Have completely read through he old posts on the buckles for the uberfallhosen worn by LW paratroops, some pilots and troops on the SUdfront.

I was wondering if any new information has come to light about the buckles. I am looking at purchasing a shirt and trousers set, but the pants have the aluminum buckle. Could you please look at the images and provide a recommendation ont he pants and shirt? The seller will not separate them. I feel the shirt is original, and although the trousers look good to me, I was taken back by the aluminum buckle. Here are the details, and I hope everyone with an educated opinion will weigh in before I pull the trigger or put the gewehr back on safe!

[17thairborne]

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[17thairborne]

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[17thairborne]

overview

[Scott A. Hess]

Do you have better pics or more of the shirt? More would be helpful, I only have one unissued shirt and uberfall hose, I know the pants are a minefield, with some very good repros that have been floating around..even better lately...As to the buckles, I hear most people say they dont like the alu ones on the waist...and that in most cases with a few expecptions they should be steel, however, the ones are mine are alu, they are however identical to the ones used on early and midwar flight pants and jackets...I've seen both used on them, so they did exist, were used...
Some say they have never seen but steel on the vet bring backs, which is fine, however, when these were being made a buckle was a buckle, they made both types, and I dont think the women making this cared much what buckle was attached, when they reached into the bin and pulled one out, I also sincerely doubt there was any regulation that these pants required a steel buckle at the waist...so...take that for what its worth, mine has the non steel buckle, and I believe the pants are without question original and one of the nicest I've seen.
Good luck, Im sure some of the very well versed Luft individuals will have much more to say.

[Scott A. Hess]

Can you post more shots of the thigh pocket and area aound it? the interior button sewing, etc etc?

[17thairborne]

For now these are the best images that I have available. I will try and get a few more shots. THis is the best I have for the shirt

[Scott A. Hess]

No other contributions or opinions as th the great buckle debate, or is this settled science?

[Willi Z.]

The fear of aluminum buckles on these trousers is a collector created myth. Just like the other style of buckle (French?). A shame it still persists.....

Decades ago a bunch of short small tropical trousers (many with mildew stains) were dumped on the market. They were flake. Because they had aluminum buckles it was determined by some that all trousers with aluminum trousers were fake.

So far I like what I see. I certainly like the markings on the trousers.

[Scott A. Hess]

Thanks Willi, very helpful, for the life of me, after collecting luft flight gear for decades..I remember when I read "aluminum bad" and saw pants, flight of all vairaitons and jackets, hot weather, cold weather, using both aluminum and steel, this notion that the aluminum buckle at the was was indicative of a fake made no sense whatsoever to me..
For what its worth my uberfallhosen have the aluminum buckle at the waist, and the variant buckle (french?) at the leg cuffs..there is a period photo, luckily, that shows this buckle in use. Mine are hbt, and made by Dornbusch in Bielefeld..they made a lot of hbt work fatigues...jackets and trouser..and their stampings are always good to see. They had quite a big factory wartime. The small construction details, cloth used..multip;e hues and weights at least six, evidence of tailors cutting and markings all lead me to have no doubts about their being original.

For what its worth, the glass buttons are nice, are they the same throughout? The hue of the thread used on the gimp cording for the button holes is also very similar if not identical to that found on many late war luft 3/4 weight ground combat jackets, marsch pattern. I know the buttons are not always indicative of real, the GErmans had over 15 million men in uniform during the war, if each one ONLY got one jacket and pair of trousers, thats probably close to a half billion buttons on the conservative side produced and not used...so..just saying its great to see all nice glass buttons, just realize, stocks of every button exists in quantity, so have to just throw that into the mix with the material/cloth, stampings, construction etc etc. I would like to see more of the pants, but they look promising.

[David Fettes]

Although the following trousers are 1941 dated Luftwaffe drillich, it does show that alu buckles are nothing to be scared of.

[SMP]

So far I like what I see. I certainly like the markings on the trousers.

Really Willi ? They look like the common Wirtschaftsamt Litzmannstadt fake trousers to me .

[17thairborne]

It sounds like the buckles are not the concern on these as there are some collectors who don't feel aluminum on the trousers are an issue.

It seems, however, that the Litzmannstadt logo, which was heavily reproduced, is causing concern here. There are probably some characteristics of the repro trousers that make these stand out.

SMP can you comment on your concerns. I sincerely do wish to understand the issues.

Thanks in advance

[SMP]

It seems, however, that the Litzmannstadt logo, which was heavily reproduced, is causing concern here. There are probably some characteristics of the repro trousers that make these stand out.

SMP can you comment on your concerns. I sincerely do wish to understand the issues.

Thanks in advance

Here is just one thread :


http://dev.wehrmacht-awards.com/foru...=litzmannstadt

But don't just listen to my opinion - I am not an expert. Wait and hear what others have to say.


Regards,

Steve

[Fsoq]

Really Willi ? They look like the common Wirtschaftsamt Litzmannstadt fake trousers to me .

Hello, IMO the maker stamp is different and the font used for the size is not the same neither. Cloth is a bit different too. I think the pants which start this thread are goog.