Imperial Belt Buckles

[Ralph A]

Contents:

[lach470]

Nice buckle Tom!! Looks great! Ralph: I love the case! Very unique. I have an ashtray that has the roundel of a prussian buckle welded to it's base. Trench art is pretty cool!

Thanks for showing boys!

Rob

[lach470]

I have a couple of these Bavarian babies! One is in brass, the other is steel. Of course, the brass buckle is the older of the two.

No markings but I like 'em nonetheless!

Cheers!

Rob

Here's the steel one first.....you'll notice about 99% of the paint is gone...

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[lach470]

Here's the back....looks "gold" in colour but that was just the lighting...

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[lach470]

Here's a look at the brass example. Lots of wear on this one....but she's legit!

Cheers!

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[lach470]

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[lach470]

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[Tom Y]

Going back a little further...

[Tom Y]

I believe this is forv a Customs official. Note the "Gott mit Uns" rather than "In Treue Fest".

[Tom Y]

Early and late model Bavarian buckles to show the differnt dimensions. They're almost the same width, but the more highly domed roundel on the later one makes it appear shorter in the scan.

[Tom Y]

Absolutely spiffing, Dan. I never knew they existed.

[Tom Y]

Great buckle, Dan. Apparently a bunch of these were found in a warehouse a few years ago, as I've seen a couple still wrapped in the original oiled paper. From the spot welded catch I think they're late war manufacture.

[Tom Y]

Hallo lach470

Nice buckles, I have one in my possesion that I cant identify maybe you could take a look? Its Navy but from which European Country I have no idea, I found it here in Romania, but rule out it being Romanian Navy as there is no Royal Cypher!

If anyone can Identify it I would be very obliged, thank you,

Kevin in Deva, Transylvania, Romania

Not sure, but I think it migfht be Italian.

[Tom Y]

Nice pair, Rob. The '47's are getting hard to find.

[Tom Y]

The only one I have that's marked on the buckle itself. Any thoughts on who the maker is?

[Daniel Murphy]

Apparently a bunch of these were found in a warehouse a few years ago, as I've seen a couple still wrapped in the original oiled paper.

Tom,

I know. I have one and should have bought some more. I will post it when I have time. But I'm not going to unwrap it.

Dan

[Daniel Murphy]

Rob and Tom,

Great buckles. That early Bavarian one is a toughone to find. I know its not a 1847, they adopted it later in the 1880's (I think) but you just don't see them.

Dan

[Daniel Murphy]

This is a pre war Bavarian private purchase patent buckle. This buckle was used by placing the raw end of the belt (which would have been a special type purchased with the buckle) under the raised stamped out piece in the center. The belt would have had two slots so that the prongs would go through it and be bent over. These two features secured one end of the belt. The other end of the belt had no metal fitting. The way it was fastened was to press the raised button on the spring loaded catch and then slide the other end of the belt under this catch. The angled cut out over one end of the belt made sure the other end of the belt slid easily over it. When the belt was in the proper position, you just release the spring loaded catch and the serrations on the other side of the catch pressed into the leather and held it. The benefits to this type of buckle were that you had an infinite number of positions to latch it, not just one inch adjustments like on the issue belt. This enabled you to perfectly fit the belt to you and made sure you looked your best while on leave or walking out on the town. These would have mainly been used by One Year Volunteers and senior NCOs, but any soldier with the money could have purchased one. I have seen a couple of these illustrated in books, but this is the only one I ever had in hand. This one was most likely worn by an NCO since it shows extensive wear from combat use. OK, On to the buckle itself.

Dan

[Daniel Murphy]

Reverse. There is a crudely cast in DRGM mark on the latch, but all I can make out of the numbers is what looks like "220__"

Edited August 26, 2006 by Daniel Murphy

[Daniel Murphy]

An end on view showing the spring.

[Daniel Murphy]

Did I say I like pieces that have been there and done it all. Here is another one that fits that description. It is a Bavarian M15 (The Prussians started making these in late 1914, the Bavarians waited a little while longer. ) c. 1916 with a gray painted finish. One can easily imagine this piece seeing service during the heavy fighting at Verdun or on the Somme. What is that, original mud from the battlefield?

Dan

Edited August 26, 2006 by Daniel Murphy

[Daniel Murphy]

Reverse. This one has the stamped sleeve for the pins, but still has the brazed catch. Notice the darker primer showing through the paint. Yup more mud.

Edited August 26, 2006 by Daniel Murphy

[Daniel Murphy]

I'm not sure the owner made it. one end is sunken in a little and the entire buckle is warped. It takes a lot to do this to a steel buckle.

Edited August 26, 2006 by Daniel Murphy

[--dj--Joe]

The spring latch buckle must be a very rare item to locate. Congrat's., and thank you for showing it. I have seen poor drawings but this is a first time see for me. Appreciate the opportunity!

--dj--Joe

[lach470]

Hey Tom...nicely marked WW1 buckle you have there!! I can't recall that maker so I went through all my reference books and still can't find anything - mind you, my ref books are TR only.

In any case...I think it's great! You don't see many ww1 buckles that are hallmarked! Thanks for showing!

Cheers...

Rob