HJ Buckle W/unusual catch.

[Hal]

Guys here are two aluminum HJ buckles;left buckle has an odd type catch,the right has the typical catch. Opinions welcomed. Thanks, Hal

[Pierre N]

original Assmann

Pierre

[lach470]

Yup....Nothing wrong with both buckles. The catch on the left is fine; in fact, a harder to find variant made by Assman as Pierre mentioned. Here's my example for the sake of reference.

Rob

[Hal]

Thanks Pierre fot the information,this is the only buckle I have with this type of catch. Regards, Hal

[lach470]

Assmann was the only maker to use this type of catch. Other types of catches include the crank catch - but that style was used by other makers too.

Cheers!

Rob

[Hal]

Yup....Nothing wrong with both buckles. The catch on the left is fine; in fact, a harder to find variant made by Assman as Pierre mentioned. Here's my example for the sake of reference.

Rob

Hi Rob, appreciate you showing your example and I wonder if these are late war, as yours is the third I've seen in excellent condition. Thanks, Hal

[lach470]

Hi Hal! The late war question is a good one! I'm thinking this actually isn't a late war issued piece. These alum. type buckles were produced from 1936-1940. Assmann was known for trying a variety of catches and constructions. After 1940 - alum. buckle production was greatly reduced.
Late war HJ's are known as the potmetal type....Here's my late war buckle...You can see there's a considerable drop in the quality.

Cheers!

Rob

[David North]

The "crimp" or "D-ring" catch does seem to be exclusive to Assmann and in slightly various forms and configurations.

Perhaps the most commonly seen is on the well documented HJ.

It does however manifest itself on the HJ, DAF and DRB to name but three.

Here are images of the DAF-Werkschar variant.

Regards,

David

[lach470]

David, my friend - THAT is a killer buckle! Love the German patent mark . I've never seen one of those before right next to the "A". Great buckle!

Thanks for posting!

Rob

[Hal]

Thanks Rob and David for the pictures and information. Regards, Hal