Can anybody help me with this combo. Size of buckle is 105mm by 55mm, gilted buckle with what looks like a Nickel silver Eagle and wreath. The Gold brocade belt is backed by green leather, all the fittings still have most of the gilt. This is the best conditioned brocade belt I have found to date.

Gary

I have posted the pictures in the belts and buckles forum as well.

Gary

No markings anywhere on the belt or buckle.

4

5

Belt and frog look identical to the Prussian Oberforster set I have pictured on the forum back a few pages but the buckle is different. I would guess the shield on the eagle's chest tells the tale-probably a Prussian city or an area within the Prussian state. Neat set and very rare.

Houston, thanks for the information, I did find the thread about your belt and buckle, just no pictures anymore, perhaps you could re-post your belt and buckle for comparison purposes. Here is a picture of the coat of arms, though I doubt it will help much,perhaps somebody will recognise something about it.

Gary

Gary & Houston,

The eagle is a standard ( although not frequently seen) Prussian design- the Imperial eagle of the Hohenzollern family- utilized by administration (Reichsbeamte), justice and colonial officials.

Very nice rig.

Gary,
Nice find and congratulations. I think it would fit well with my Picklehaube. Just send it my way when you get tired of it.

Prussian Oberforster

Roger, Thats the sort of information I was after, Thanks very much for that, is there a book that you know of that I can find this sort of information in.
Houston, I see what you mean about very similar buckles just a different Eagle, the belt looks the same as well,certainly the same material.

Gary

Gary,

I'd suggest looking at "German Belt Buckles" by Reid (p.31). He has a short explanation of this crest in regards to an Imperial Diplomatic buckle.

When in doubt, I have found that Reid's book and "Pickelhauben" by Johannson are great resources for identifying specific German "heraldry" and who used it.

And, of course, a Google search might also be the ticket for some historical information.

Hope this helps.

Gary, Check out my thread.Pickelhaube Christmas Our crests look the same, or pretty darn close. Helmet is a Imperial German Gendarmerie Colonial officer Helmet from Reichsland Elsass-Lothringen. The crest is so rare I've not seen another until your belt buckle, nor mentioned in any book. Not to say that it hasn't,just I haven't seen it. Hope this helps.

Roger, Thanks for the information on the books, I'll be searching for these,
Mikee, I read your thread on your picklehaube, yes it is the same eagle, I have the exact Eagle engraved on a silver cup, given by the Kaiser to a shooting club to commenmerate their 400th anniversary.

Gary--Another thing is the crown on the Oberforster indicates the State of Prussia-State level Official--while yours indicates Prussia also but Reich level-so Colonial seems likely as Colonies would be under Reich control.There is also the possibility that this is a set for a Reich level Forestry Official-possibly the top official. These same two crowns can be seen on the Prussian Imperial court or Diplo Degens. The only difference is the crowns indicating Reich or State level officials.

Gary, Wow! Nice cup. Would you mind showing the dedication. Thanks

Houston, Thanks for the additional information, certainly a lot for me to investigate though I doubt I'll ever find the exact use, that doesn't matter though as it is so nice.

Mikee here is the dedication, best I can do I'm afraid, the cup stands 17" high and 5" diameter at the top, stamped Sy & Wagner with the crescent moon, crown and 800 mark, one of the Berlin court jewellers in 1908.

Thanks everybody for all the information on my belt/buckle combo.

Gary

Thought I might add this piece to this thread.

hanger

Excellent green leather backing to the brocade

Buckle

And here is the proper Hirschfanger that goes with these belts and buckles

Houston,
Lets see some more of this hirschf�nger, is this the piece you bought at the SOS or Max show a couple years ago, would love to see it in it's belt and hanger, never seen that before, what a combination.

Gary

Nice brocade belt and buckle!

Houston

Thats a stunner! Heavy item if I recall!

PVON

Yes-This is the one from the Bob Waitts collection that I was able to buy from Brian. The blade is Damast with gold hunting scenes. IMO one of the best Hunting/Forestry pieces around. For the Prussian Oberforster. Here are some more photos. I will take some more with the belt, hanger, and knot.

2

3

4

next

next 1

I could be SO easily bitten by this bug......

Superb Gary and Houston
Paul

What a gorgeous rig!

Thats one hell of a hirschf�nger, I'll never get tired of seeing this piece.

Cheers

Gary

Oh my! Who in their right mind wouldn't want that gorgeous work of art in their collection. I never tire of seeing this piece either.

Just plain.... Amazing in it's beauty!!
-wagner-

One beautyfull dagger.Love the cable stiching on the portapee