My 2 Imperials

**James N** · 01-15-2013, 11:22 PM

I don't know very much about these WWI-era buckles. This one-piece stamped steel one retains a good bit of its Feldgrau paint and shows relatively little wear; it's also unmarked - is that "normal" in this period?

My real question is about this also-unmarked one-piece stamped brass one; it's obviously Prussian like the other, but exactly WHEN does it date? I'm familliar with the so-called NCO varieties, steel with the brass insert, but what ( and when ) is this all-brass one from? Is it merely artillery rather than infantry? Prewar? Or something else altogether?

Any information on these would be greatly appreciated!

**Espenlaub Militaria** · 01-15-2013 11:22 PM

We also buy and trade your items and full collections!

**SteveR** · 01-16-2013, 03:33 AM

Ben will be able to tell you everything you want to know.

**Ben Evans** · 01-16-2013, 10:18 AM

Hi James, WW1 buckles are not really my thing I do know much about them, I only really collect WW2 buckles. I do believe that the top buckle is a late war made buckle. there are a lot of mint wrapped WW1 buckles like that one for sale which were believed to be fake. they are actually last line produced buckles. If you imagine how many men the Germans had in the field at that time, they numbered millions so needed a supply chain to feed them. Then at some point the German politicians decided to stop and back came the troops leaving loads of surplus stock. With ref to the brass one I have seen brass and pewter and the occasional steel used to around the 1915/16 era at this point then I think thats when they standardised and started to bring in the feld grau issue buckle (the top one) This is my take on buckle production at this time some one who specialises in this era might chip in and provide for info. This is my late war feld grau buckle with a tab on it

**kirby** · 01-17-2013, 01:00 AM

The brass Prussian buckle looks like the 50mm size. I think these were late 1800's to early 1900's and weren't in use during WWII.

I know the steel ones were surplus. I bought 5 mint in the wrapper for $5.00 around 1974-75. That was about the price of a SA, HJ or Heer buckle at the time.

**DUJAILAH** · 01-17-2013, 11:27 PM

by Ben Evans

Hi James, WW1 buckles are not really my thing I do know much about them, I only really collect WW2 buckles. I do believe that the top buckle is a late war made buckle. there are a lot of mint wrapped WW1 buckles like that one for sale which were believed to be fake. they are actually last line produced buckles. If you imagine how many men the Germans had in the field at that time, they numbered millions so needed a supply chain to feed them. Then at some point the German politicians decided to stop and back came the troops leaving loads of surplus stock. With ref to the brass one I have seen brass and pewter and the occasional steel used to around the 1915/16 era at this point then I think thats when they standardised and started to bring in the feld grau issue buckle (the top one) This is my take on buckle production at this time some one who specialises in this era might chip in and provide for info. This is my late war feld grau buckle with a tab on it

Hi James N, Ben has got it right. The steel is as he says. I believe the all brass is from the 1915 period when they were trying to economize. Before that they would have had a nickle roundel. It looks like an economy trial looking at prongs soldered straight onto the rod without a sleeve and the ears not folded down. Check out this thread: -

https://www.warrelics.eu/forum/imper...buckles-10285/

Cheers,

Richard.

**Ben Evans** · 01-17-2013, 11:48 PM

Again not really sure but in regrads to Prussian moving onto Imperial I believe they started around 1847 which is the M1847 buckle, could be 50mm or larger this went to 1895. they changed the design to the M1895 buckle not sure if then came down to the 45mm buckle or was that in 1915, whether or not thats when the Imperial side started I am not sure, from there it went to the M1915 version. Again chaps I am at work at mo and shooting from the hip really, should have waited and researched for the correct info, but I am bored at work at mo lol

**Ben Evans** · 01-17-2013, 11:50 PM

In fact Richard maybe a project for yourself, do a bit of research and amend the first page of the Imperial thread to give a brief history of this type of buckle? Just food for thought mate, if not I will give it a go when I get the time

**DUJAILAH** · 01-18-2013, 02:26 PM

Hi Ben, one for the future I'm afraid. I'm a bit tied up at the moment. About to publish a book about my home towns WW1 dead soon & working like mad on it, Cheers, Richard.