N&H 1942 Buckles - comparing

[josephc]

I just bought a second N&H 1942 buckle and find that it is a little different than my original one. Is it odd to find same make and year to be different or is this a questionable buckle.

differences -
N&H 1942 - one is a fine engraving while new one is coarse or wider print.
pin is peened smaller on new one
clasp (?) is opposite direction
eagle head looks a little different but could be due to paint or wear differences.

the latest buckle has more paint on it. It is in bottom of most pics.

[Wagriff]

Interesting! The slight differences in the letters, etc. wouldn't worry me all that much-certainly, they must have had more than just a single machine and set of dies stamping these pieces out. I would imagine that each piece of machinery and die set must have had it's slight differences from the next. But, why is the loop mounted Backwards from the other, I wonder? They Both look like good pieces to Me, anyway, but that is strange! Makes for a great conversation piece, at any rate! Nice Buckles! William

[Ben Evans]

Both buckles are fine, the catch has been attached the wrong way thats all, just manufacturing errors, if you compare other makers you will find it is the same story with all of them