380/40 SS Skull Issue

[BlackBelt]

Can you show me one authentic or repro SS belt buckle with that code?

I personaly can not, as I am not a collector of buckles. I am simply referencing some thread from this forum, where a few people had commented on their rarity and authentisity. I will try an locate the thread, and add it to this posting. According to the list that I saw, 380 was listed as Wilm and Assmann in Berlin. Again I am not sure how "authentic" it was, simply that is what was listed.

Ironicly I was quoting your post. I should say misreading......LOL! I stand corrected. Here is your original remark about this very subject.:

"It is a fantasy number based on original SS coding configurations...for example in this case (even though this code is made up) the "360" would represent the maker of the item and the "40" would represent the year the item was made, IE 1940...an example of a legitimate code is "RZM 254 42" or "RZM 822/42 SS"..in this case the "RZM" signifies RZM acceptance and the "SS" signifies acceptance by the SS of the item...with the "822" representing the maker of the item and "42" the year..this mark is found on a scarce wartime produced EM buckle, and the "RZM 254/42" is found on an SS skull."

I misread what numbers you were referensing as authentic. Sorry.

[TonyS]

Here is a quote I found from someones personal site:

http://ww2collection.blogspot.com/

Interesting that there are those with various reasoning as to differences. Notice the date that the items were found....1970's...at least according to the owner. That is at least 2 corresponding accounts of the insignia dated before 1980's, as stated by others.

You cannot be serious quoting that site - more fake SS insignia than I can count....next you'll be trying to make a case that the droopy eyed fake Bevo skull and fake bigfoot eagles on that site are authentic.......

While you might think these SS 380/40 skulls are well made - I think they look like crap. Even it's lopsided design has no German Third Reich quality to it. Just look at that giant cheek bone...........it's an ass of a design

Just my opinion of course........

[Dennis S]

I will offer no opinions on the 380 skull as I am one who frequently needs an opinion myself. I will offer some information that I have though. In the late 70's or early 80's I purchased a couple of these sets from Mr Flock. I really did not know him but was introduced to him by a dealer. He had a bag full of these skulls along with matching eagles. I think I paid 40-50 a set when the going price was about 100.00+ . The skull with the wide pins in the previous photo's is not the 380 that he was selling. I have attached photos of a 380 type that was purchased back then. This one is not from the original ( original as in bought originaly)sets, but one I took off a original m43 that the previous owner had added. Its the same skull as the initial batch. It rests at the bottom of my cigar box with its other infamous friends

[Dennis S]

back

[BlackBelt]

You cannot be serious quoting that site - more fake SS insignia than I can count....next you'll be trying to make a case that the droopy eyed fake Bevo skull and fake bigfoot eagles on that site are authentic.......

While you might think these SS 380/40 skulls are well made - I think they look like crap. Even it's lopsided design has no German Third Reich quality to it. Just look at that giant cheek bone...........it's an ass of a design

Just my opinion of course........

The quote was not a matter of fact, simply to illustrate that there are others, myself included that state that this skull appeared prior to the 1980's. Thats all. Yes there were many fakes on that site.

[Dennis S]

with some flash

[Dennis S]

back with flash

[BlackBelt]

back

Thanks for the info. First hand accounts will make or break this item. However when this was sold to you, was it as an original, or fake? Surely for that price it was advertised as original.

[Dennis S]

They always claimed everything was original back then, somethings were, but they piggybacked the original finds with repros. There definitely wasn't as much information around then. I believe it was around or just before the wall fell, so they took advantage of the new discoveries .

ps: .Search Mr. Flock(Flok) not sure of the spelling

[BlackBelt]

They always claimed everything was original back then, somethings were, but I think they piggybacked the original finds with repros. There definitely wasn't as much information around then. I believe it was around or just before the wall fell, so they took advantage of the new discoveries .

ps: .Search Mr. Flock(Flok) not sure of the spelling

I have no doubt about that. Thanks for sharing that info!

[bwanek1]

While you might think these SS 380/40 skulls are well made - I think they look like crap.

I agree. Fools just want to believe, in spite of the abundant knowledge of more experienced collectors and the simple facts which make the thought of this series of aluminum insignia being original simply illogical and impossible. Bigfoot, crop circles, and 300-series SS insignia...there will always be those who refuse to accept them as frauds.

In a decade or two, someone will be arguing that the "moustache" metal skulls or the "droopy-eye" BeVo skulls or the "bowling pin" BeVo eagles are original and demanding proof that they are not. I can't say that I have a printed catalog showing any of those contemporary fakes are just that and, long after the websites selling them and forums like this discussing them have vaporized, my memory of these times when such crap was well-known as fake and sold in abundance as such will be called "supposition." They will say, "your memory must be faulty" and argue, "just look at the quality!" or "it looks old and has a correct number on it!" Hmmm...maybe I should buy a bunch of the current fakes now so that I can make a killing off of the next generation's fools!

[TonyS]

I agree. Fools just want to believe, in spite of the abundant knowledge of more experienced collectors and the simple facts which make the thought of this series of aluminum insignia being original simply illogical and impossible. Bigfoot, crop circles, and 300-series SS insignia...there will always be those who refuse to accept them as frauds.

In a decade or two, someone will be arguing that the "moustache" metal skulls or the "droopy-eye" BeVo skulls or the "bowling pin" BeVo eagles are original and demanding proof that they are not. I can't say that I have a printed catalog showing any of those contemporary fakes are just that and, long after the websites selling them and forums like this discussing them have vaporized, my memory of these times when such crap was well-known as fake and sold in abundance as such will be called "supposition." They will say, "your memory must be faulty" and argue, "just look at the quality!" or "it looks old and has a correct number on it!" Hmmm...maybe I should buy a bunch of the current fakes now so that I can make a killing off of the next generation's fools!

Jeez Brad......I thought I was the only angry, cynical collector out there.....

[Anders S]

While you might think these SS 380/40 skulls are well made - I think they look like crap. Even it's lopsided design has no German Third Reich quality to it. Just look at that giant cheek bone...........it's an ass of a design

Just my opinion of course........

I second that.

[BlackBelt]

Jeez Brad......I thought I was the only angry, cynical collector out there.....

Honestly Brad......................no need to attack me for posing questions. I am not an "inexperienced" collector. However I am also opened minded enough to not rule all possibilities.

[sgstandard]

Skulls

Gee, I noticed the mention of Third Reich Depot. Now THERE"S an endorsement!! Anyone who manufactured a skull that looks like this would have been sent to a concentration camp if I was in charge!!