GDC member Leo in Estonia asked me to post these photos of an unusual buckle and to request opinions as to originality. Leo says that the buckle is made from an unknown brown metal with poor quality RZM-stamp on the back.

John

back side

Edited for .... Spam

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Dave Hohaus,

John,

The keeper bar doesn't look right, nor does the markings, nor the material the buckle is made from. IMO . . . it's fake. ~ Ian

quote:

Originally posted by bushido:
John,

The keeper bar doesn't look right, nor does the markings, nor the material the buckle is made from. IMO . . . it's fake. ~ Ian

Hello,

I have to totally disagree with Ian : in my opinion the buckle is an original one nickel made by Overhoff and may be ground dug (that's the reason of browning patina) .
The marking partially visible is : O & C ges. ge sch.

Best

Ric

I'll differ to you on this one Ric as I have no experience with nickle silver going copper in colour and I can see now the O & C mark and the RZM on the buckle latch similar to the buckle shown in Bob Evans book but as there are so many questionable buckles in his reference, I rarely refer to it. The keeper still looks flatter than those I've seen on the nickle 35/36 but . . . I learn something everyday here! Thanks ~ Ian

Buckle is original. Poor photo for details but looks like the number 24 (within a ring) is also stamped under the RZM logo (on catch). Could you please confirm this and ask Leo if the Overhoff marking is O&C ges. ges ch. or O&C Ges. ge sch. (Capital G to Ges.)