lach470

WOW....That is great to know! I was linking this belt to the Army - and I would never have considered it as part of a fire brigade! Very cool! Thanks for filling us in! Rob

COOL buckle! Sorry I can't help you with your questions: I just don't know! But this puppy sure has a lot of character! Looks great! Hopefully someone will be able to help you out! Cheers! Rob

Nice buckle Joel! Yeah Paul: let's see yours! I've since parted with the buckle I showed previously. It had just TOO much wear on it for me so I upgraded to the same type buckle with less wear...but I also like them with some "age" to them! Thanks for posting! Cheers! Rob

That is a great (and quite wordy) article on the subject! Being a buckle collector, I had heard a lot about this belt of his! It was an interesting read! Thanks for posting! Cheers! Rob

Overhoff Hallmark...

Here's the back...

Hello Marcin! No, I don't think this is post-war....I could be wrong but I think it shows pre-45 type of construction. I have heard that this organization did and continues to operate though so there must be some post-45 buckles being manufactured. But I like the look of this one! Cheers! Rob Here is my example: a 48mm Hallmarked example made by Overhoff

Nice buckle. Hard to say when it would have been issued exactly...The patents from Adolf Baumeister's buckles date from 1926 to 1934. These aren't rare buckles but yours is harder to find than the regular 48mm issue. If I'm correct, your buckle is the 40mm variant. Looks much smaller (when you compare to the prongs to the buckle) and the missing "ears" tell me this one is smaller. I like it! You don't see these 40mm buckles that often! Cheers! Rob

Here's the Hallmark: Early E.pack logo...Thanks again for any info you can send my way! Cheers! Rob

More...

Hey gang! I have a quick question....I have an early E.Pack Pantherhead sword and I wonder what was used for the panther's eyes. I'm assuming glass but I don't know....could some of these sword manufacturers used semi-precious stones like birthstones (Tourmaline is the official birthstone for October) The eyes are a kind of pink (man, they look good! ) Any info would be greatly appreciated. Here is a pic of the pantherhead....Man, when you think how much work went into this!! Thanks guys.... Cheers! Rob

Closeup of prong bar....see how the "front" of the prong bar looks like it has been painted black where as the underside isn't.... What do you think? ....There is also a shot of the Assmann Hallmark...but it's hard to see in the black.

Here's the back of them...

Hey gang! Here's a question for you guys....is there any reason why there may have ever been a black HJ buckle introduced and/or used? Here's why I ask: I have two Assman crankcatch HJ buckles - one, when compared to the other, is very dark! Yes, it could be a patina but in some places, it looks like it was painted black. It's hard to picture and I've tried my best....but I'd like your opinions on this. Personally, I've never heard of black HJ buckles....but I'd love to hear if this was a possibility! Have a look gang! Cheers! Rob

I also had a look at Jack's book and didn't find anything that relates to the belt having the cloth or leather buckle keeper section. Next time I speak with him, I'll ask to see if he knows more about it....I'm sure he does! I'll let you know what he says! Cheers! Rob

Hello Belaruski! Nice to hear from you. I have seen a picture of member's of the German Red Front wearing the type of buckle you are looking for. I have the picture in Jack Angolia's book "German Belt buckles and Brocades. It is on page 394. At the bottom, below the picture of the three men is a picture of the buckle in question taken from the Van Der Meyer collectin. It is a box buckle witht a circular "swirl" and inside is the communist star with the hammer and sickle. There is also another type of buckle that was used by the Red Front Fighter's League that is in matte silver with a raised and clenched fist in the center of the buckle, encircled by a twisted rope. Hope this info helps! Have a great day! Cheers! Rob

Hi Anders! Yes, I've seen that beauty before! Super nice!!! Nice to see it again! Cheers Rob

Hi...that's a good question. I don't know for sure which came first as these types of belts aren't my area of expertise. If I get any info on that though....I'll be sure to pass it on down. In any case....wicked looking setup! Congrats Mike! Rob

I can't help you with repro stuff....I have no idea where to look for that stuff! Original keepers sometimes show up on Ebay....I know you're looking so if I see anything, I'll let ya know! Cheers! Rob

Now where have I seen that buckle posted??? heh heh heh......It's all good! When the buckle looks as nice as this one....I don't mind seeing it again! Great looking buckle! (Wish my example had a keeper as well!!) Cheers! Rob

Hi! Sorry to be late getting to this! What you have is considered by some collectors to be a late war issue Heer buckle. Other collectors tend to consider these types of dark buckles worn by members of the coastal artillery manning the Atlantic wall. I have one such example in my collection. It is dark with actually a tinge of blue in it. Mine is marked GB (gustav brehmer) and dated 1943. Hope this info helps! CHeers! Rob

Looks cool Dan! Not my area of expertise but this certainly looks interesting. I tried digging around on the internet to see if I could get a handle on the name for you.....I didn't have any luck Hope you get this DDR item soon! Cheers! Rob

Hey Paul....that's what makes this forum so great! The ability to communicate like this. Trust me: I hate having to tell anyone that I think their buckle is bad but on the same token.....I guess this is how we learn and get to share knowledge. Cheers mate!!! Rob

Hi Paul....hard for me to tell because the pics are so small. However, if the SS runes are in a diamond, it is unfortunately a reproduction. I don't recognize this type of buckle being linked to SS anyways....but always keep in mind that SS inside a diamond never existed in pre-45 buckles. SS in circle did! Sorry about that..... Rob

Hey Joe....thanks for the post! It does look similar - but they are different. I think the other symbol you refer to looks an awful lot like a treble clef (music related). Close....but not quite....But thanks again! I'm not getting anywhere with this Hallmark....it certainly has me intrigued!! Cheers!! Rob