Buckle and Belt characteristics, originals & fakes

**Ben Evans** · 01-15-2009, 01:58 PM

Also for interest I will include this very rare nickel right facing Tunnerbund conversion, the original maker of the buckle was Hugo Schneider Aktiengesellschaft Mettalwarrenfabrik Leipzig, very rare maker whether or not they did the conversion we shall never know.

**Espenlaub Militaria** · 01-15-2009 01:58 PM

We also buy and trade your items and full collections!

**Ben Evans** · 01-15-2009, 02:15 PM

This is an example of an aluminium buckle by a maker called V Hofe, quite a rare maker, you do not see many knocking around by this maker. Aluminium buckles were made mainly from 1936 to 1940, however you do not see many 1940 examples around as by then they were using steel which was alot harder metal and tended to last longer than the soft aluminium ones. I have also seen a couple of 1935 examples around but again these are like hens teeth.

**Ben Evans** · 01-15-2009, 02:19 PM

Here is another example of a aluminium buckle. It is in very good condition with most of its original green paint intact. Dated 1936 it was made by the firm Richard Seiper & Sohne, note on this early example it has both the early and late Seiper markings on it.

**Ben Evans** · 01-15-2009, 02:27 PM

Just want to keep with Seiper for the moment, he was a very prolific maker and you will find alot of Heer buckles around by this maker. Have a look at the eagles head on the steel buckles, they are very distinct and unique to this maker, in time with one glance you will recognise this maker straight away.

**Ben Evans** · 01-15-2009, 03:19 PM

This guys is what I think is the most common of the SS buckles, it is a unmarked late war Overhoff, once you know what to look for and get used to them they is quite easy to spot original from fake, some of the biggest giveaways on the fakes are triangle breast feathers, lack of detail to the rope and wreath both on the front and rear of the buckle, the catch and feet are quite different also. On the front another big givaway is that there is no rope between the wing and head of the eagle. compare the original to the fake one in the example I have provided, there are better versions of this fake out there but with experience you will tell good from bad. After looking at these go on dealers sites and look at the late war Overhoff buckles, you will be amazed how quickly you start spotting originals from fakes.

**Ben Evans** · 01-16-2009, 11:12 AM

Hi all, I am going to compare the make up of the 155/40 fake that apple has just posted with the originals. If you look at the fake itself it is based on a copy of the basic unmarked late war Overhoff, however if you study the buckle there are lots of flaws:

Front - triangle breast feathers, biggest givaway straight away
Rear - wrong markings
outward facing prongs
ears are wrong
lack of detail to rear of box
new rust
no rope between head & left wing

Compare the fake to the original that I have posted with it. When you have studied this move onto the next one where I have transposed the markings and eagle breast feathers of all three buckles for comparison.

**Ben Evans** · 01-16-2009, 11:16 AM

Now compare all three together, the fake and an original 155/40 and unmarked Overhoff. If you really want to learn now go and look on websites, if need be print off these originals and fakes and try and spot which is which on the sites, trust me you will soon pick it up

**Paul D** · 01-16-2009, 06:09 PM

Great work Ben , keep them coming

cheers

Paul

**Ben Evans** · 01-20-2009, 03:55 PM

Hi all, here for reference is a 1st pattern or Type 1 Enlisted mans belt. On the next couple of threads I will show stage by stage how to attach a buckle with and without tab.