18 ANTIQUE TRADER • www.AntiqueTrader.com • December 7, 2016
COLLECTOR FEATURE
Steve Evans
Here’s a fun hobby: Collecting belt buckles that look like
real-life objects. ese buckles are quite aordable (oen $10 or
so) and are available in many dierent styles.
e best example of a “3-D” (also called “cut-out” or “theme”)
buckle, not only has a fantastic design, but has a brand name,
copyright date, and country of origin.
Brand names include Bergamot, established in Fox River
Grove, Illinois and then relocated to Delavan, Wisconsin; e
Great American Buckle Co., Chicago; Baron Buckles; Indiana
Metal Cra, Bloomington, Indiana, among others. ese buck-
les are usually made of pewter or brass, and are fairly heavy for
their size.
ey typically have ne detail and sometimes the intricacy is
astonishing. Take a look at the Log Truck buckle by e Great
American Buckle Company. It’s only 4 1/4 inches wide by 2 1/4
inches tall, but looks very realistic. e headlight lenses, the ra-
diator grill, the exposed bolts just under the front bumper, the
holes in the muer’s heat shield, the links in the log chains, the
driver in the cab giving a thumps-up: Fantastic! Bravo!
e information on the backside of the Log Truck buckle
shows the brand, a 1980 copyright date, made in the USA, and
serial number 236. Is it possible this buckle was individu-
ally numbered as part of a limited edition? No such luck.
Buckles of this model all appear to be serial #236. But all is
forgiven when buying it for only $12.47, including shipping
(as per the author’s eBay purchase in August 2016).
Many of the best 3-D buckle designs were made in the late
1970s, as shown by the buckles’ copyright dates. e manufac-
ture of a particular model began in its year of copyright and if
it was a good seller, may have continued to be made for several
years.
When comparing two buckles of the same model, it is some-
times possible to tell which is older. Take a look at the two Der-
ringer Pistol buckles, they show the same provenance: made by
Bergamot, 1978 copyright, and model #F-156, but the newer
buckle shows “Made in USA” outlined by the shape of the United
States, a feature only found on later buckles made by Bergamot.
A good place to nd 3-D buckles is on eBay and values shown
in this article were taken from recent completed sales.
A buckle’s design is what grabs your attention, but scrutiny
needs to be given to the backside too. If an eBay listing doesn’t
include a rear-view picture, the seller may be hiding something
that lessens the value, such as no wording on the back, or that
Derringer Pistol
buckles: Compare
the 39-year old
version at top with the newer
pearl-handle version below.
Note slight difference in shape
of hammer. On back: © 1978
BERGAMOT BRASS WORKS
®, F-156, MADE IN USA. Size
5” x 3 1/8”; value: old style $20,
newer version $15.
All photos courtesy Steve Evans
Derringer Pistol
buckles, rear view.
Both buckles have
the same information, but
the positioning and style of lettering
is different. Note the newer one
(at bottom) has an updated logo,
and “Made in USA” is outlined by
the shape of the United States. It
also weighs less and has a different
shaped bail.
Train buckle styled after
a Pacific class steam
locomotive. Engine number
is 1002. On back: © 1978
BERGAMOT BRASS
WORKS ®, K-39, MADE
IN USA.
Size 4” x 2”; value $10.
‘57 Chevy buckle, Bel Air coupe. Note fine
details of the tire tread and visible interior
upholstery. On back: © 1979 BERGAMOT
BRASS WORKS ®, U-39, MADE IN USA.
Size 4” x 2 1/8”; value $10-$15.
Figural Buckles: Impressive 3-D models at home on a belt
Continued on page 20
