Questions - Frank & Co. Buckle and Belt

[AlecH]

Amongst a mixed convolute I bought was this steel buckle & belt. Think its genuine - have a couple of questions - is it original ? the MM on the leather tab - Dr Franke & Co. K 1941 Lüdenscheid and the stamping on the buckle _. F & C. 1941 can't say I've seen any Dr. Franke buckles stamped like this one partially under the buckle bridge and the leather belt with RZM L2/2189/3 - I thought it should read - not RZM but RB (Reichsbetriebsnummer) the belts condition is far better than the buckles when compared. But as I said, it was a all or nothing buy. Any information appreciated.
Regards
Alec

[AlecH]

2

[Ben Evans]

Good morning Alec, dont know about the belt numbers but the buckle is a very typical and genuine steel Heer buckle by Dr Franke, it has the correct eagle, marking are correct, the squared off ears, overall nice buckle mate

[Ben Evans]

Just looking at the belt, from what I can see and deduct from that it is a political belt I think and not a combat belt, thats why it is marked L2 and not RB

[Ben Evans]

Just got time to post these, note at the rear the squared ears, I believe they tried to base the pigeon head fake on this buckle and again the Dr Franke has a unique eagle

[AlecH]

Hi Ben,
Thanks for the confirmation and pictures. Reading through your comments about Dr Franke's unique eagle and forgers, I got to wondering (I'm no buckle collector) if there was a pecking order for buckle collectors when it came to buckle makers i.e. Most sort after, sort after, run of the mill - similar to Iron Cross medal collectors i.e. ranking certain makers higher than others?
Looking again at the belt marking, to me its a anomaly - number layout looks typical RBN style - L at the start - even indicates L= Leather but the prefix stamp is RZM which doesn't go together. One question - if the there were no marks on the belt, how can you tell if its political or combat ? I've always thought, if its black and shiny - parade belt, if black and dull, matt finish - combat. What must I look out for, when I think it may be a political belt ? Again thanks for the help.
Best Wishes
Alec

[Ben Evans]

Alec, have a look at the belt buckle and characteristics thread there is quite a bit of info in there mate about belts, it will explain the difference in type 1 and 2 combat belts, political belts etc In ref to any pecking order that is down to the individual taste mate to be honest, at one point all I collected was Heer buckles and nothing else!