New WR Forum member - Luftwaffe Buckle ID

[Longbar]

Hello forum members,
I'm new to WR and would like some assitance with some info on a belt buckle. All I really know is it's steel. It has no stamp on the inside face that I can see. The original black/charcoal paint can still be seen on the inside. What can you tell me about it?
Thanks!

[Ben Evans]

Hello and welcome to the buckle forum and the Warrelics forum in general your unmarked buckle is indeed original and it was made by the maker J C Maedicke, Berlin. We can tell from the eagle, the catch and the ears that it was made by this maker, I have enclosed a Heer example by the same maker, look at the ears from the rear and you will see they are the same

[Datrus]

Welcome to the forum mate

Regards, Lars (Danish guy in Russia)

[Longbar]

Thanks very much for the welcome and the fascinating information. From what I've read, a variety of small firms were contracted to make these and other buckles etc. Did J C Maedicke also make other items?

[Ben Evans]

I think they made awards as well, I have just done a quick search and come up with Krim Shields, cuff titles, breast eagles so they probably had other contracts, M5, M1, etc

[drmessimer]

Longbar: Welcome aboard! I am sure that you have already noticed that you came to the right place. The knowledge to be tapped on this Forum is huge in scope. The Best to you, Dwight

[guns ltd]

Welcome to the forum!! great looking buckle..

[Longbar]

Thanks! Impressive... a truly international group. Can anyone suggest the year this buckle may have been made?

[Ben Evans]

I would say between 40 and 43, they started using steel buckles 1940 onwards, the order to stop using aluminium came out in 1939