buckle

[taucher]

This is a buckle i found some years ago in a wreck.

The wreck remains unknown.

What would be the value?

thanks

taucher

[lach470]

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

[Paul R]

What kind of wreck was it found in?

[taucher]

Hey Rob and Paul,

A picture of the back

It whas found in a trawler who whas badly broken up.I think it whas a vorpostenboot.

I know its a buckle from the reichsmarine but not uncommon to be used during WWII.

[taucher]

[taucher]

Here you can see the stamp of the kriegsmarine in the leather

[taucher]

The whole thing.

[taucher]

This whas found alongside the belt and buckle

[taucher]

The inside

The coin is Belgian.There whas also a label whit the makers name and adres in it but

this could not be saved.The streetname whas:Strasse ohne name

The makers name escapes me but a have written it down somewhere.

[taucher]

I know the ship dit not sink earlyer than 2/43 because i found a

little copper bottle from a rescue jacket with the inspection stamp on it.

[taucher]

The inspection stamp and inspector initials.

on the other side is a little swastica and number .

Also some porcelan and glas where found.

Greets

taucher

[lach470]

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

[taucher]

These where found in the salty northsee Rob.The Belgian coast is litterd with wrecks

from WWI and WWII.As to the condition of the finds.If thy are in de mud the oxygen in the water

has no grip on them and the mud act as a cocoon protecting the artefacts.Even clothing is protected.

If its on top of the bottom thats another thing and exposed to the water its eaten allive in our cold northsee.

[lach470]

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

Cheers!

Rob

[Paul R]

Very interesting stuff there!! You say that even clothing has been found preserved?

[taucher]

As you can see in the picture i found also a silk nelson's tie in perfect condition.

I found two of those in the same wreck.

This one has a little damage on the back because it whas entangled in wreckage.

[taucher]

Who has any idee who made these buckles?

[lach470]

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

[taucher]

Al these come of the same wreck.The buckle has no makers mark.As for

the finding of the buckle in this wreck,there is no surprise.Many of the ships like kriegfishkutters or

vorpostenboote used by the kriegsmarine

where mand by older personel who served in pre war time in the merchand navy and reichsmarine.

The uniforms where first given to the crews of the "real figthing ships" so the crews on the boats

not so important had to waith.The crews on these kutters where a mix of everything.Even man of

the regular army served on them if thy where no good to go in the first lines.

What is TR Rob?

vince

[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