A "Blue" HJ

[David North]

Attached are images of perhaps an interesting steel HJ buckle.

Appearing to be with a factory finished Luftwaffe "blue".

Makers mark as M4/23 (for Dr. Franke und Cie. KG., Lüdenscheid).

Comments as always welcome.

Regards,

David

[David North]

2

[David North]

3

[Ben Evans]

Hi David, interesting buckle, do you think the blue is period applied? I have never seen a HJ buckle this colour before? Also have you ever seen any others this colour? (or any other colour)

[militarymania]

interesting finish on this buckle,,,i have never encountered this on an HJ one before

[Panzer 3]

Hi,
the buckle looks like it,s been gunblued, this will make the same colour when it is worn a little.
hope this helps.
dave.

[David North]

Cannot really add much more to this quite puzzling buckle. I must admit that my first thoughts were the same as Dave, insofar as the steel had been gun blued. It is however a painted finish and I am sure that it has been period and factory applied. The slight saving grace is the maker as Franke. This company I know produced some strange colour HJ's to include various shades of grey and green. Never however seen one in blue though. I bought the buckle at a standard HJ price, rather than say at an inflated price for a so called "ultra rare" HJ Flak or HJ Marine. Can anyone show a blue painted steel Luftwaffe buckle by Franke?

Regards,

David

[lach470]

What a great looking HJ.....very unique indeed - and a first for me also. I'd love to hear what Chad W. would have to say about this. I don't have a M4/23 LW to show....I'm sure someone out there has one though! Interesting thread for sure!
COOL!

Rob