UBB.threads Forums Uniform & Accessories Belts and Buckles Forum Odd SS Officer Buckle Marking?

How about this one? The buckle appears to be made of zinc and painted, indicating later manufacture. Why would it be marked "ges gesch" if such is the case? I could understand an earlier buckle of nickel-silver or aluminum being so mark.

This marking is found on very late war SS officer buckles made by Overhoff. Starting 1943 the RZM announced it will quit supplying the SS with several goods and it was up to the SS authorities to find makers for them. This decision was final by the end of 1944. This is at this period makers like JFS, E.Jüttner, Robert Dold did start to produce buckles for the SS, buckles marked with their trademark for commercial purpose. Obviousely Overhoff did keep his contract with the SS, and apparently he was the only maker originally sub-contracted by the RZM to do so. But since the RZM markings were no longer accurate he had to use a common trademark. The Ges.Gesch. was a reminder to recall he was still the righteous holder for the pattented design of SS buckles.

Thank you! Most interesting information. From the photos, the overall quality appears to be excellent. However, on the reverse, on the piece the trademark is stamped, there are cracks in the metal at the edges (corners). I would guess this is from an inferior metal being used or some problem in the manufacturing process.

quote:

Originally posted by Grumpy:
there are cracks in the metal at the edges (corners)

You are indeed correct. It is a common feature with some kind of zinc. Many early zinc officers by Overhoff (1942 and 1943) did not widely have this problem but Emil Jüttner SS officer buckles were mostly with it.