F.A.D. - Assmann - Spade and Pick

**David North** · 05-14-2010, 06:31 PM

Perhaps one of the most elusive and rare FAD buckles.

Regards,

David

**Espenlaub Militaria** · 05-14-2010 06:31 PM

We also buy and trade your items and full collections!

**pryagin** · 05-14-2010, 07:06 PM

Yes , you are right that this one is rare and interesting buckle of FAD but what do you think about this?
Yury

**Ben Evans** · 05-14-2010, 07:44 PM

David, that is a rare beast indeed and in such good condition, nice find my friend

**Woolgar** · 05-15-2010, 09:00 AM

These buckles have great designs, I like them alot. Thanks for showing them

Nick

**David North** · 05-15-2010, 10:14 AM

Thankyou for your kind comments chaps and this FAD really is a favourite of mine. It is a rare one and especially so with the Assmann markings. I think that the detail to the roundel is remarkable and especially when viewed close up. Not a buckle that is seen every day, although of course extremely specialised and not to ever collectors taste - being FAD.

Regards,

David

**David North** · 05-15-2010, 10:25 AM

Hello Yury

The famous "eagle and swastika" FAD.

You know of course that the buckle is faked. The fake has a quite superb roundel and is one of the "best" copy stampings around. When the fake roundel is on a fake box, they can be easily spotted and I have attached an image of a fake roundel. The problem lies when the fake roundel is removed and then artificially aged and distressed, to be then set on an original brass box.

The key is the roundel and not the box.

I have attached an image of an "eagle and swastika" FAD that I hold and toward which I am 99% sure is original.

I have also attached a photo merge to parts of both a fake and an original. Many collectors have their own choice way of isolating traits to the fake and for myself, it is the style and spacing of the letters FAD.

In my opinion and for the fake, the bottom of the letters A and D are almost touching. For the original, there is a clear space between the bottom of the letters A and D.

Regards,

David

**David North** · 05-15-2010, 10:26 AM

Original

**David North** · 05-15-2010, 10:28 AM

Fake (left side facing) v Original (right side facing)

**pryagin** · 05-15-2010, 10:54 AM

Mine buckle I received from famous collection of Marc Van de Weyer

**David North** · 05-15-2010, 04:02 PM

Yury,

As you probably know, Marc is a friend of mine and I too have bought buckles from him.

In relation to the "eagle and swastika" FAD, I have purposely not included yours within the PERSONAL OPINION response and instead, used and for example, one that I have in my collection, together with a now well known fake.

Regards,

David