lach470

Sorry Vince.... TR is abbreviated for Third Reich. So you did answer my question. Thanks! I think it's a great buckle....love the history behind it too! Rob

The buckle is a Weimar (not TR) buckle used by the navy....Hard to say who the maker would be. Most are not stamped on the reverse. Is this example? If so, let me know and I could tell you who made it. It is surprising that this type of buckle would have been on a ship that sank post-43 though....were these all found at the same spot,same wreck? Cheers! Rob

They are often dismissed as fakes....and errors did occur. I can think of army buckles having RZM markings on them. (the army NEVER had those markings)....BUT M4/44 did in fact construct these buckles with those markings - these are legit and out there. That's one example of a "mistake". Cheers! Rob

Close up of the roundel! Cheers! Rob

You can see how the pebbling around the motto is worn ... but it's still there...

more pics...

Here's the back....

Hey gang....Haven't posted in a while...thought I'd show one of my most recent pick-ups...A nice Reichsbanner buckle! These were being worn by this Nationalist Org. back when it was "chaos time" in Germany. These guys gave the Nazi's an early run for their money! Needless to say - this organization was banned once the NSDAP took over. These buckles are RARE and I'm happy to have found this one. Prong attachment is also a rare variant. This maker (nobody knows who it is) made their prongs BY HAND! That means that every time this prong assembly is encountered, none are exactly the same! Pretty neat IMO Here you go gang! Cheers! Rob

Hi John! Thanks man! Glad you like it! It is certainly a nice piec imo! I can't see this leaving my collection for a while! Cheers! Rob

last ones....

more....Here are the unit markings on the scabbard and the knife!!

and more....

more....

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Hey gang! Here's a piece that showed up yesterday! Man, do I love these big boys! This has to be the most "heavy duty" knife produced in the TR....Love the quarter inch blade. This example is also unit marked, which means it was owned by unit 804 out of Mannheim. That means that this knife would be issued and then returned, then issued, then returned! These unit marked example are harder to find and the condition on this one is great considering how often it would have been issued. Came with the original hanger and given the first pattern hanger and the Eick stamp....I would assume it was manufactured sometime around 1938. Hope you guys like it! I think it's killer! Cheers! Rob

That is one cracker of a buckle! I bet this buckle could easily fetch $650!! These are big time rare - but to find an unissued example such as this one is almost never seen! Thanks for posting! That buckle is drop dead gorgeous! Cheers! Rob

That is fascinating! I had no idea! The condition of these pieces is remarkable! Cheers! Rob

That is way cool! Amazing the condition of these pieces....was this a fresh water find or salt water? Value wise...I would assume about $200-$225 perhaps. Cheers! Rob

Yes....the drop tail type of buckle was issued early on.... Cheers! Rob

Great condition to have been pulled out of a wreck! Any chance at seeing the back of the buckle??? That would help in assessing value... Cheers! Rob

Great buckle you have there. You are right...these were used as patriotic buckles. There is some talk that these were early Hitler Youth buckles...but I doubt that - there are just too many variants out there, plus the NSDAP Youth is what preceeded the HJ and they had their own buckle too! (Some collectors think these are early NSDAP Youth - there's more of a possibility there). I'd love to have a buckle like this one residing in my collection! I like it! Thanks for showing! Rob

Great condition buckle....and the catch on the back is a rare variant...probably made by Assmann! THanks for showing! Rob

Hallo Student....No problem! Please feel free to use that picture. I want to thank you for asking....a lot of collectors wouldn't bother! I appreicate it! Cheers! Rob

Here's the back....You can see how the roundel is attached by two prongs (top and bottom)

OOPS...posting pics would be helpful! Cheers! Rob