Hi i'm new to belt buckles and got offered this buckle which i needed to make a decision on fast. I searched all over a few forums and shops but could not find a matching example until i found a exact match on Craig Gottliebs site ( except it was a regular police officers version) so i bought it.

It's near mint however making comparisons now i have it in hand i have noticed a few slight differnces. The gold finish seems more orange/gold than yellow/gold as seen on most gilt buckles but this could be differences in other peoples photos.
As for detailing, on the part below the swastika and between the oak leaves it only has one edge on each side, most other buckles seem to have two edges on each side. Is this just a variation?

The buckle on Craigs site for comparison is here which seems identical in every way bar the finish...

http://www.craiggottlieb.com/data/inspect.asp?Item=2589...le%2C+Police+Officer

I took a chance on it as i have a 7 day inspection period so i can get a refund if need be.

Anyway on to the photos...

I forgot to mention, i noticed the claw on the buckle seems slightly shorter than most other officers buckles, this is also the same as the example on Craigs site.

Hello Andrew,

by the reverse pic, the catch assembly and the disk appear casted in one piece , am I right ?

Ric

No the disk and catch assembly are two parts. I'm just leaving the house unfortunately. I'll post a pic from the side tomorrow.

Andrew,

I edited by a white line the area I'm interested in : when time permits, a close-up would be appreciated.

Best

Ric

here is a close up of the area requested. The slight damage looks like someone hit it with a compass or similar object, but it does show the ungilted silver beneath.

and a close up from the side showing it is 2 piece and not 1 piece

Hello Andrew,

and thanks for the additional pics.
I personally believe the buckle beeing a modern repro and for sure not made by Overhoff before Maj 1945, as the marking would lead to believe.
The crudely sharpened prongs and the alu thickness of the catch are already seen on other modern fake. The way to fix roundel to catch assembly is not correct for a period buckle and show a low quality job.
The obverse lack details and is graphically quite different from an original by Overhoff.
Obviously I do believe the buckle on Craig's site is a repro as well and by the same source.

Regards

Ric

Ric
many thanks for taking the time to comment. Obviously i'm dissapointed if this turns out to be fake. I bought this from a well known UK online dealer, but at least i have 6 days left to get a refund.
Does anyone else have an opinion on this buckle?

quote:

Originally posted by b.collector:
Hello Andrew,

and thanks for the additional pics.
I personally believe the buckle beeing a modern repro and for sure not made by Overhoff before Maj 1945, as the marking would lead to believe.
The crudely sharpened prongs and the alu thickness of the catch are already seen on other modern fake. The way to fix roundel to catch assembly is not correct for a period buckle and show a low quality job.
The obverse lack details and is graphically quite different from an original by Overhoff.
Obviously I do believe the buckle on Craig's site is a repro as well and by the same source.

Regards

Ric

I believe the exact same. The Overhoff logo isolated was introduced with fake SS officer buckles in early 2000. Here again, graphical difference in the marking was the first and obvious red flag, even if other differences were also present. But I know some high end collectors who felt in the trap anyway just before they flood the market. Then, for a while, those fakes disappeared from the open market. I believe it was to better introduce those now ...
Here the fake SS I am talking about.

Back of the fake

Wrong graphical for a correct Overhoff (among several other things I will keep silent)

And here is an original.

Andrew,

here's an original Wasserschutz Polizei alu by Overhoff, just for comparison.

Ric

P.S. I omitted the reverse on purpose and for obvious reasons

I highly respect JP for his belt buckle knowledge, so I'll monitor this thread for possible removal of this buckle from my inventory.

Not that it matters much, but this buckle came from an old california collection that has not been added to in 10 or 15 years.

JP: Can you email me with more info on this? Thanks in advance.

Ric and Jean Pierre. Many, many thanks for taking the time to reply to this thread. Thanks also to Craig for the email.
I have spoken to the seller and he has agreed to refund my money, so this buckle is on it's way back.