SS buckle need fast help

**David North** · 09-17-2010, 07:44 AM

I am absolutely staggered ! Euros 50 and possibly more !! I do not wish to appear superior and I am fully aware that we all have different collecting interests (and budgets of course), however for the life of me I cannot see any worth whatsoever in this lump of rust that once was a beautifully detailed buckle. To myself and as previously said, it is in my opinion, minimal value rubbish. All is subjective and "beauty is in the eye of the beholder" of course. Could however someone explain to me why a collector should want in their collection, such a relatively common buckle in such dreadful and almost unrecognisable condition? I am obviously missing something here and I would genuinely like to know what the attraction is.

Regards,

David

**Espenlaub Militaria** · 09-17-2010 07:44 AM

We also buy and trade your items and full collections!

**Paul D** · 09-17-2010, 12:51 PM

David i think it comes down to the fact that some people only collect relic items these days and 50 Euros would not be an uncommon price for an SS Buckle in this condition.

Before collecting relics bacame such big business these buckles went for next to nothing !!

**David North** · 09-17-2010, 04:47 PM

Thankyou for your response Paul.

I think perhaps that if someone is not a collector, it is difficult to understand the passion and the drive of a true and dedicated collector. Whether it be Fine Art or German Militaria, it is all quite academic. Collecting is collecting and as I previously alluded to, incredibly subjective and highly personal.

Apologies for being a little thick on the matter, however I still cannot understand why someone should want to collect an otherwise readily available buckle, in such an awful and almost impossible to recognise condition. Original and period yes - although almost a token item.

I am not wishing to degrade those who readily seek and buy relic items and instead, I am curiously interested to know why this "absolutely worthless rubbish" (to myself), is so eagerly sought after by others.

Regards,

David

**Masonk** · 09-17-2010, 05:17 PM

I think the phrase, "One man's junk is another man's treasure" about sums it up.....

Me personally, I would never actively seek out relics, but sometimes budget dictates what one can purchase. Spending $50 on a relic SS buckle compared to $500 for one in used condition puts less stress on your wallet but still fills that missing spot in your collection, at least until you can obtain a piece in better condition.

In addition, I assume Beginner collectors are driving the relic prices up as they are afraid to pay out big money for items in better condition in fear of being burned. In turn, you then have serious collectors driving up the prices on the items in better condition.

It's all relative to supply and demand. If dealers know people will pay top dollar for an item, regardless of condition, then they will keep increasing the price. If buyers continue to the pay these prices, then the prices will continue to rise. 10 or 20 years from now, we may see relic pieces selling for the same price you would now pay for one in slightly used or mint condition....

**colt45** · 09-17-2010, 06:15 PM

yes... aged copy

**Hansi** · 09-20-2010, 04:28 PM

I know that this thread is nearing its end but, I would just like to add a quick thought... although some relics are nothing more than unrecognizable rusty lumps with little trace of their former glory, they do have something special about them that makes them worth buying and collecting... and that is, they are dug up from the very spot that they were dropped or lost in. It's great to have a beautiful buckle of course... but beautiful buckles have often passed through many hands and collections... and I sometimes feel, and this is strictly my personal opinion, that sometimes items loose something 'magical' over time, that they sort of become de-personalized and far away from their origins, whereas, a relic even in a terrible condition still retains that certain attachment to its original owner by not only having remained hidden, but also in all probability the last person to touch it was the person who had been wearing it. So... I think this is the reason why a relic can still be special and why a lot of people seek them so eagerly. I know that relics too can pass through many hands... I guess that I'm really referring to unearthing something with your own hands... you can't really get any closer to the past than that I think. Whatever we collect, whatever we love about it... and whatever we see in it, it's all great! Okay, that was my two pennyworth... cheers... Hansi

**Paul D** · 09-20-2010, 05:19 PM

Hansi good comments my friend i have many mint or good condition items in my collcetion including buckles but some of my best items are rusty relics which have been found by me or found by others in my presence. That knowledge does make them for me the most interesting pieces if not those that are the nicest to look at

**David North** · 09-20-2010, 07:21 PM

Eric, Colt 45, Hansi and Paul

Read (very carefully), fully appreciated and yet with all due respect, I think that the "relic" aspect of collecting belt buckles is one specialised area that I will never understand or ever appreciate.

Regards,

David