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Summary: In the 1960s and 70s there was massive scheme where thousands of fraudulent belt buckles were manufactured and imported into the United States, where they were bought by unsuspecting antique collectors. They infringed on the registered trademarks of companies like Coca Cola, Wells Fargo, American Express, Winchester, Ford, and their aged appearance led people to believe they originated from the late 1800s. Many of the buckles had intricate hallmarks from reputable manufacturers, including: Tiffany & Company / Tiffany Studio, Deane & Adams, Gaylord Express / E. Gaylord, Anson Mills, and other company names. The reality is that the belt buckles were manufactured in the 60s and 70s and fraudulently sold to dealers and collectors as "rare antiques". These belt buckles have been exposed numerous times in articles from Basically Buckles: The original buckle collector magazine, Reader's Digest, and other publications. But even after 50 years, these fakes continue to dupe collectors and sellers. An Englishman, John Fairchild, was ultimately revealed as the source of the Tiffany buckles. Several companies filed lawsuits against the English manufacturer and the U.S. Customs and Border Protection Agency ultimately intervened in the matter. They impounded some import shipments of the buckles and prevented John Fairchild from entering the United States, but by then the Tiffany buckle craze had already taken hold. American companies began producing copies of the Tiffany belt buckles in varying styles. Some of the early copiers included Michael Richter, Daniel Baughman of Bergamot Brass Works, the Lewis Buckle Co, and MM Limited (now Great American Products). Today, there are so many versions of the Tiffany designs that it is nearly impossible to know exactly who produced which belt buckle. There were multiple castings of buckles by John Fairchild, American-made copies of Fairchild's designs, and then 2nd and 3rd generation copies of the American-made buckles. The only thing that is certain is that none of these buckles were made by Tiffany Studios and none are older than the 1960s. How It All Started In the late 60s and early 70s, rare and unusual belt buckles began turning up in pawn shops, gun shows, and flea markets. On the front, the buckles were adorned with original artwork and names of household brands such as Coca Cola, American Express, and Wells Fargo. Frantic collectors were buying them up at prices as high as $200 in the mid-60s and early 70s—a hefty price tag equivalent to about $1,300 in today’s dollars (1970 to 2021 dollars). The origins of these buckles remained mysterious and suspicious. A collector’s guidebook Tiffany & Gaylord Express & Exhibition Belt Plates, by Percy Seibert, began circulating among dealers and collectors in the early 70s. This 90-page hardbound publication was illustrated with photographs of many of the belt buckles in question along with a discussion of historical context and other documentation, such as photographs of belt buckle casting molds. Unbeknownst to collectors, the entire book and its contents were an intricate lie, maliciously constructed to fool unsuspecting buyers. The guidebook’s author, publisher, and “historical information”, were all fabricated as part of an elaborate scheme to help sell fake belt buckles... of which, there were now tens of thousands in circulation. The books were circulated among antique collectors and pawn shops and helped to grow the demand for the buckles J. Duncan Campbell's Investigation The scheme behind the faked buckles began to unravel in the early 1970s when J. Duncan Campbell, an advisor to the Smithsonian Institute and expert in historical belt plates, purchased a copy of Tiffany & Gaylord Express & Exhibition Belt Plates. To his surprise, the book contained writing plagiarized from Campbell’s own works for the Smithsonian. He documented his findings in his own book in 1973, titled New Belt Buckles of the Old West. ​ Excerpt from New Belt Buckles of the Old West PLAGIARISM & THE NON-EXISTENT COPYRIGHT After careful study of Percy Seibert’s book I made a decision to spend all the research time necessary to document the truth and expose much that is false and misleading in its content. Several reasons compelled me to annotate the text and shed some light on these new buckles, but one is of personal importance. In the book’s very first pages I was amazed to read sentences and paragraphs precisely as I had written them in the Smithsonian Bulletin 235 (American Military Insignia) which I co-authored with Edgar M. Howell… Next, I noticed a copyright date of 1950, using words I had not written until 1962. This was a surprise that proves the book must have been written some time after the Smithsonian Bulletin appeared in 1963. [2] New Belt Buckles of the Old West J. Duncan Campbell P. IX Campbell meticulously studied Percy Seibert's book and explained how many of the Tiffany buckles had historical inaccuracies or impossibilities that showed they were fake. Campbell published an update to his investigation in Early American Life magazine, titled "The Great Belt Buckle Fraud" (1974). In the article, he described purchasing one of the fake buckles directly from a supplier in London, England called P. Supplies Co. His check was endorsed by none other than John R. Fairchild, Jr. He also obtained a catalog from the Deane & Adams company which noted it was a member of the Fairchild Organization. Basically Buckles Magazine Basically Buckles (previously Buckle Buddies) ran numerous articles on the Tiffany buckles throughout the 1980s. Readers and subscribers frequently mailed in letters to the editor asking about the origin of the Tiffany buckles they had acquired. Most issues featured a reply from collector and writer, Bob Bracken, softly breaking the bad news that the infamous Tiffany buckles were not authentic antiques. Basically Buckles also ran an article written by a former dealer of the original Tiffany buckles, Michael Richter, whose firsthand experience led him to purchase them wholesale from the supplier in England. He ordered the buckles directly from John Fairchild by the hundreds, and then resold them to eager buyers in the U.S. The rumors surrounding the origins Tiffany buckles were wild and fantastic. There were claims that the buckles had been gathered up during scrap metal drives during WWI so that the brass could be melted down and used for bullet casings. The lucky buckles that had been allegedly "spared" were being offered up to collectors. Some of the buckles also had inscriptions claiming they had been cast from captured military cannons. The peculiar stories generated hype and urgency that fueled demand for the buckles. Dealers were rushed to place their orders before supplies ran out. Reader's Digest also published an article titled "Scourge of the Smugglers", which discussed the Tiffany buckles. Soon after, American companies whose names were being used on the buckles filed lawsuits against Fairchild. When U.S. Customs intervened, Michael Richter's shipments were detained until he agreed to mark each one "Made in England" on the reverse side. Richter wrote: "Even on my final shipment the Englishman [John Fairchild] never admitted that I was involved in a hoax. While I assumed that the Reader's Digest article would destroy any interest in these buckles, it only seemed to further enhance the desirability of the Tiffany buckles." "Tiffany Revisited" by Michael Richter Basically Buckles, September 1981 Copies of Copies Even after the Tiffany buckles were no longer available from England, Richter and many others started making copies of the buckles. Daniel Baughman, the owner and artist behind prominent belt buckle manufacturer Bergamot Brass Works, met John Fairchild on a business trip to England in 1973. He too, was was convinced that the buckles had been recently produced and were, in fact, not relics of the 1800s. He suspected the buckles were oxidized or chemically treated to give an aged or antique appearance. Like Richter, Baughman copied many of the Fairchild designs and began producing his own buckles in Wisconsin in the early 70s. Other companies including the Lewis Buckle Co and MM Limited (now Great American Products) also started out by producing copies of the Fairchild buckles before developing their own designs. To make matters even more complicated... later companies produced 2nd and 3rd generation copies of the American-made "Tiffany" designs. In the end, it became nearly impossible to know the origin of any one particular belt buckle. The hype and mystery surrounding the Tiffany buckle gave birth to a legitimate industry, but unsuspecting collectors continue to be fooled by the scheme which started more than 40 years ago. It was rumored that John Fairchild gave his belt buckle business over to his sister and her husband who started produced legitimate belt buckles, much like the competing companies they had inspired in the United States. Want More?-- Follow us on Twitter -- ~Telling stories through belt buckles~ Trivia, Art History, Film & TV, Americana, Vintage Fashion, Hippies, Pop Culture, Cowboys, more... About the Author: Brock Lane has an MS in Applied economics and operates multiple shops on Etsy, eBay, and Shopify. He maintains an inventory of over 10,000 rare and unique belt buckles, leather belts, and other goods. He leverages his sales history and professional background to write about trends in online retail marketplaces. Brock is an eBay affiliate and earns commission from linked products & shops. Learn more at: www.beltbucklehistory.com Shop for vintage belt buckles on Brock's Etsy Shop or at Brock's eBay Store

Summary: Manufacturer/Artist: Award Design Medals Status: Defunct Location: Noble, Oklahoma Related companies: None Style and Themes: The company produced a huge variety of Commemorative and Limited Edition belt buckle series in addition to retail and some corporate designs. They produced multiple series of US State commemorative buckles and were also involved in the design and distribution of the Hesston NFR annual belt buckle release for several years. Visit my index of belt buckle manufacturers and artists to view belt buckle hallmarks, history, and other information Profile: Award Design Medals was founded by owner Wendell Hamilton and artist Bob Henderson in 1972. The company used the lost wax casting method to produce intricate and high quality solid brass belt buckles. They also offered limited production of buckles in solid sterling silver or brass plated in silver or gold. Many of the company's designs were inspired by the American frontier and featured figures and events from the wild west including cowboys, outlaws, historical firearms, and cattle and horse breeds. The company found success in creating limited edition series of belt buckles that were marketed to collectors in the 1980s through the Buckle Buddies magazine. Award Design Medals produced the Tony Lama commemorative series of belt buckles for each US State which gained notoriety after the State of North Dakota prevented them from using their state seal on the belt buckle. They were also actively involved in the production and release of buckles in the Hesston NFR annual belt buckle release for several years. History: Award Design Medals (ADM) was founded by owner Wendell Hamilton and artist Bob Henderson in 1972. The company grew quickly and had 40 employees by 1975, but was then tragically struck by a fire that destroyed its administrative and production facilities. The company managed to rebuild and was most active during the 1980s when it sold belt buckles for both wholesale and retail customers. Freelance artists and shop owners would commission orders from ADM to distribute independently, but the company also advertised and sold its original designs to buyers through mail order advertisements. The found success in creating limited edition and commemorative designs when belt buckle collecting gained traction in the 80s and helped fuel the popularity of belt buckle collecting clubs, swap meets, and publications like the Buckle Buddies magazine. The buckles were worn by many, but because many were sold into the collector market they had more intricate packaging that showed off the craftsmanship. The buckles were sealed with shrink wrapping and packaged in a velvet-textured plastic case like the one in the picture below. Wendell Hamilton's interest in the American Frontier led the company to produce belt buckles that featured historical people, places and events, especially those from the days of the wild west. They produced series of buckles featuring outlaws like Billy The Kid and the Dalton Gang, as well as adaptations of famous artwork including paintings from Frederick Remington. The casting methods used by ADM allowed them to produce intricate designs with high relief and impressive detail compared to their competitors. The buckles are nearly always marked on the reverse in fine lettering and with the company's logo. A small banner on the reverse will provide important details on the buckle including the material or a serial number if the buckle was part of a limited edition series. The number of buckles in a limited edition series varied between designs and who commissioned the order, but runs of 500, 1,000, or 2,000 were quite common. ADM also marked buckles as "first edition" during the initial production run of a new design. If the design was reused the first edition marking was removed from subsequent castings. Award Design Medals became involved with the annual Hesston National Finals Rodeo (NFR) belt buckle in 1982. They began by creating dies and finishing the buckles, but ultimately purchased the equipment from Hesston and took over full production in 1984. U.S. State Series Award Design Medals is well known for producing several collectible series of belt buckles commemorating each US State. The original limited edition series produced for Tony Lama in the early 1980s became highly collectible and publicized after the State of North Dakota prevented the company from using its state seal on the North Dakota belt buckle. A small, unknown quantity were completed and sold before North Dakota intervened, which caused prices to rise for the buckles that had been released. Even today, North Dakota 1st edition buckles will bring $300 to $450. They later created the Eagle State Seal Collection which commemorated each of the U.S. States, and also produced belt buckles for each U.S. state with original artwork and state's name represented in a large flowing banner across the front of the buckle. Want More?-- Follow us on Twitter -- ~Telling stories through belt buckles~ Trivia, Art History, Film & TV, Americana, Vintage Fashion, Hippies, Pop Culture, Cowboys, more... About the Author: Brock Lane has an MS in Applied economics and operates multiple shops on Etsy, eBay, and Shopify. He maintains an inventory of over 10,000 rare and unique belt buckles, leather belts, and other goods. He leverages his sales history and professional background to write about trends in online retail marketplaces. Brock is an eBay affiliate and earns commission from linked products & shops. Learn more at: www.beltbucklehistory.com Shop for vintage belt buckles on Brock's Etsy Shop or at Brock's eBay Store

Common Questions Addressed In This Article: What are Sterling Silver and Coin Silver? What is German Silver/Nickel Silver/Alpaca Silver? How do I test for silver? Including an overview of the acid scratch test, magnets, ice test, sound test, bleach staining, and metal analyzers. Summary Before you go through the effort of a formal silver test, take a moment to look over your belt buckle to look for hallmarks that might tell you what it's made from. If you still think it could be silver, you have a few options for how to test it. Use diagnostic tools like magnets, assessing the patina color, or the sound test. These tests are fast and easy, but can be inconclusive and challenging for a beginner. Buy an acid test kit to use at home. If you're testing jewelry on a regular basis, this is probably the way to go. Scratch the piece on a slate, apply acid, and look for the bright red color indicator. These kits are inexpensive at $15 or less and are available from Amazon or eBay. Take your jewelry to a pro for testing. This may be your best choice for a one-time inquiry. Businesses like pawn shops and jewelers will have metal analyzers that can precisely scan and measure metal purity in jewelry. If you plan to test silver on a regular basis, going to a jewelry shop will be inconvenient for you and the jeweler so consider buying an acid test kit. What are Sterling Silver and Coin Silver? Sterling silver is a blend of metals that will contain 92.5% of true silver. The remaining 7.5% is usually copper but can include silicon, germanium, boron, zinc, or other elements. Alone, silver is a soft metal that will easily scratch and wear away over time. The addition of copper and other metals makes sterling silver a much better material for casting jewelry like belt buckles that will be subject to the wear and tear of daily use. It helps to preserve the detail of any artwork and designs in the casting. You might hear the term coin silver, which also refers to a silver blend that has a slightly lower silver content of about 90%. It is a metal alloy that historically was used by the US government to mint silver coins, hence the term coin silver. What is German Silver/Nickel Silver/Alpaca Silver? These terms all refer to the same metal alloy made from copper, nickel and zinc. metals like German silver, nickel silver, and alpaca silver contain no actual elemental silver. The metal has a bright silver-tone luster that makes it very attractive for crafting jewelry and it has physical properties that make it relatively easy to melt, cast, forge, and engrave. It is also inexpensive to produce because it does not contain elemental silver, making it a common material for belt buckles. There are a huge number of terms used in the world of jewelry that can be confusing to a novice, so here are a few additional definitions: Gold or Silver "Wash" - the same thing as plating. An electro-plating process is used to create a thin layer of a precious or semi-precious metal over another metal. Markings may abbreviate as "GP" for gold plate TAXCO - A city in Mexico that is known for producing the Alpaca silver-style jewelry for the tourist and visitor markets. This includes belt buckles, bracelets, pendants, and hair barrettes. Hecho En Mexico - translates to Made In Mexico How do I test for silver? Look for Stamps and Hallmarks One of the easiest and fastest ways to find out if your belt buckle or other jewelry is silver, is to give the back side a close inspection for markings and stamps that might indicate what type of metal was used. Many belt buckles will have stamps to indicate the maker and type of metal, but some handmade pieces might also have writing that was engraved by hand and is difficult to read. I recommend having a small magnifying glass or jeweler's lens when you look because the marks can be very small, worn away, or obscured. The photographs below show some examples of stamps from belt buckles. The stamps may also include an artist's hallmark or year of manufacture. For sterling silver belt buckles, a markings that say "925" ".925" or "92.5" are often used as a substitute for the word sterling, and represents the 92.5% purity/silver content of the metal. Left Column: examples of stamps for sterling silver Right Column: examples of stamps for german silver, nickel silver, and alpaca silver If you find hallmarks and determine that your buckle does not have silver, you're done and there's no need to perform any more tests. But many belt buckles have no markings at all so you'll need to use an acid test or some other method. I also like to confirm the authenticity of any belt buckles or jewelry that are marked sterling. It doesn't happen very often, but you may find a fake that is marked "sterling" or "925" but is only silver plated, or made with another material altogether. Acid Scratch Test A practical way to know if your belt buckle is silver is to test it with a acid scratch testing kit. These kits might be intimidating if you've never used one, but they're simple and nearly foolproof. A standard kit comes with a slate for scratching and a small bottle of acid for silver. Some kits will come with several types of acid used for testing different metals like gold or platinum. To test for silver, you will also need a small piece of disposable paper towel or white cloth. 1. Rub the belt buckle on the slate to scratch off some of the metal. Apply pressure and make a smudge on the slate that is about the size of a pencil eraser. Choose a place on the buckle where you won't cause any damage, like the back or an edge. Don't use the prong or part of the loop where the belt attaches to the buckle. Even on a sterling silver buckle these pieces can be made from stronger metals like steel. 2. Dab acid over the smudge and allow it to sit for a few seconds. You only need to use enough to cover the metal streak. I like to wait about 30 seconds for the reaction to occur, and you may be able to see the red color appear on the slate. 3. Use a small piece of paper towel and firmly wipe away the smudge and acid from the slate. If the metal is sterling silver the acid will cause a chemical reaction that creates a red streak. If there is no color, the metal does not contain elemental silver. Sometimes it isn't practical to use an acid kit to test for silver. Maybe you're at a garage sale or a flea market and need to figure out what you're looking at. Here are a few other methods that can help to identify metals in belt buckles. Color Silver alloys tend to tarnish and oxidize differently from other metals, so color can be a helpful indicator if your belt buckle is not marked. The photo to the left shows examples of sterling and nickel silver belt buckles. Sterling and coin silver jewelry develops a very dark oxidation (aka patina) that eventually becomes black. The pattern will often be cloudy and mottled over the entire surface. Remember that hardware on the back of the buckle—like the hinges, loop, and prong—are usually made from a stronger material like steel so they may rust over time. German/nickel/Alpaca silvers will usually develop a tarnish that more closely resembles the rust that you would see on iron or steel. The photograph on the left (bottom) shows several spots where the nickel silver belt buckle has rust colored spots. Color can be a helpful indicator when identifying different metals, but it can be difficult for an inexperienced eye to distinguish between silver and other materials. Old belt buckles that have been cleaned with chemicals or polishes will also have unusual or deceptive colors, so be careful and use more than one identification method. Over time, silver will naturally oxidize and develop a dark layer of tarnish that is called a patina. This is not necessarily a bad thing, and most collectors will prefer that old jewelry have its original patina. Cleaning a silver belt buckle or other jewelry can actually hurt the value of the piece. For more information, read my post on cleaning belt buckles. Magnet Test Elemental silver is very weakly magnetic and a magnet will not stick to it, but silver plated belt buckles will sometimes have a magnetic steel core. So, a small handheld magnet can be a helpful diagnostic tool for belt buckles and other jewelry. If you're regularly going to estate sales and flea markets, it might be worthwhile to take a small neodymium magnet with you. Just be careful about putting one on a keyring or in your pocket because they can cause damage to nearby electronics like your phone! Don't forget, hardware on the back of a sterling silver buckle might be magnetic because it is made from steel. I've also found that some stone cabochons are magnetic or that artists with use small steel plates behind stones for construction/design purposes. They may not be visible upon inspection, but a magnet will reveal them. A magnet is not a substitute for a true silver test, though, because brass, german silver, nickel silver, and alpaca silver are also nonmagnetic. Sound Test Silver can also be identified by a distinctive ringing sound that it makes when struck. I tend to avoid this method with belt buckles to avoid damaging them, but it can be an effective test. It's used more frequently with coins where they can be dropped on a hard surface or tapped against each other to listen for a sound that is reminiscent of a ringing bell. Other tests The ice test is common when testing bars of silver or large coins. Silver has a high thermal conductivity which means it transfers heat quickly, so if you place an ice cube on a silver bar it will start to melt almost immediately. This method is not practical for intricate pieces of jewelry that are small, thin and irregular in shape, or lightweight so I tend not to use it. Another common test is to use bleach to tarnish the silver. It accelerates the natural oxidation process and will quickly tell you have silver. I don't recommend this method for jewelry either because it will permanently discolor the piece wherever the bleach is applied. Get Professional Help If you've tried to figure out if your buckle is silver but you're still not sure, you may want to get help from a pro. You can try taking your piece to a jeweler and ask them to perform a test for you. Many jewelers will have a metal analyzer that measures the electromagnetic properties of the jewelry to tell precisely what it is made from. These machines are expensive ($1,000 or more) and not practical for most people to purchase for at-home use, but they are common at businesses that process a lot of jewelry. The test is quick and easy, and many business owners will be happy to help. Want More?-- Follow us on Twitter -- ~Telling stories through belt buckles~ Trivia, Art History, Film & TV, Americana, Vintage Fashion, Hippies, Pop Culture, Cowboys, more... About the Author: Brock Lane has an MS in Applied economics and operates multiple shops on Etsy, eBay, and Shopify. He maintains an inventory of over 10,000 rare and unique belt buckles, leather belts, and other goods. He leverages his sales history and professional background to write about trends in online retail marketplaces. Brock is an eBay affiliate and earns commission from linked products & shops. Learn more at: www.beltbucklehistory.com Shop for vintage belt buckles on Brock's Etsy Shop or at Brock's eBay Store

Summary: Manufacturer/Artist: Anacortes Brass Works Status: Active (as Northwest Brass Works) Location: Washington State Related companies: Northwest Brass Works Style and Themes: Produced solid brass buckles starting in 1970. Many retail designs had coastal pacific-northwest themed artwork like whales or forests. The company also did custom corporate designs, especially for the construction and oil & gas industries. Visit my index of belt buckle manufacturers and artists to view belt buckle hallmarks, history, and other information Profile: Anacortes Brass Works was founded in 1970 by Glen Veal and Kit Marcinko while they were living on Guemes Island, WA. The foundry was located in Anacortes, WA. The buckles were cast in solid brass and were among the highest quality buckles produced in the 70s and 80s. Many of the earliest designs were nature-inspired and featured artwork with whales, coastal birds, and other wildlife. The company also produced many custom corporate designs for companies in construction, oil & gas, and other industries. Collectors will commonly encounter buckles that commemorate the completion of construction projects, safety awards, and other corporate achievements. The foundry was also strategically located to produce buckles during Alaska's oil boom in the early 80s associated with the Trans-Alaska pipeline. The "Buckles of Alaska" series was popular with business owners who offered souvenirs to visitors, and the designs featured Native Alaskan totem-style artwork, dog sledding, and gold prospecting. History: Anacortes Brass Works was founded in 1970 by Glen Veal and Kit Marcinko while they were living on Guemes Island, WA. The buckles were cast using antique equipment at a old foundry from 1926, which is featured on the info cards packaged with their belt buckles. The buckles were cast in solid brass, hand polished, and were among the highest quality buckles produced in the 1970s and 1980s. The cards packaged with each buckle described the company's history and intricate manufacturing process. An image of two craftsmen pouring molten metal appears to serve as the company logo. Anacortes Brass Works belt buckles can be easily identified by looking on the reverse side for a stamp which included a date and the company name. The details of the stamp vary depending on age. The oldest buckles (1975 and earlier) may be signed by Kit Marcinko, and have the company name and date cast large letters across the back (photographed below). Later buckles were marked with a small round stamp that also included the place of manufacturing (Washington) and the material (solid brass). The stamp hallmark first appears in 1975 (photographed below, top left) and is the only example with raised lettering. The stamp used in the late 70s onward had imprinted lettering. The example on the upper right also has an image of the foundry building with a crucible pouring molten metal suspended above it. In the early 80s the company created a "Buckles of Alaska" series with a unique stamp that had the silhouette of the state of Alaska (bottom left). Stamp hallmarks for other buckles in the 80s and later had no figural images (bottom right). Many of the earliest designs were nature-inspired and featured whales, coastal birds, and other wildlife. The company's geographic location had a clear impact on the artwork which depicted life in the Pacific Northwest with scenes of commercial fishing, coniferous forests, and marine animals. The company also produced many custom corporate designs for companies in construction, oil & gas, and other industries. Collectors will commonly encounter buckles that commemorate the completion of construction projects, safety awards, and other corporate achievements. Kit Marcinko sold his half of the company in 1980, but the foundry continued to produce buckles into the 80s and 90s. Today, Northwest Brass Works of Mt. Vernon Washington produces modern castings of several of the Anacortes Brass Works designs. They also have a variety of new buckle designs offered in solid brass and silver brass. The details of the change in ownership and company name are not known. Want More?-- Follow us on Twitter -- ~Telling stories through belt buckles~ Trivia, Art History, Film & TV, Americana, Vintage Fashion, Hippies, Pop Culture, Cowboys, more... About the Author: Brock Lane has an MS in Applied economics and operates multiple shops on Etsy, eBay, and Shopify. He maintains an inventory of over 10,000 rare and unique belt buckles, leather belts, and other goods. He leverages his sales history and professional background to write about trends in online retail marketplaces. Brock is an eBay affiliate and earns commission from linked products & shops. Learn more at: www.beltbucklehistory.com Shop for vintage belt buckles on Brock's Etsy Shop or at Brock's eBay Store

Summary: Manufacturer/Artist: Lewis Buckle Co., Inc. Status: Defunct. Company was acquired in the early 1980s. Location: Palantine/Chicago, IL Related companies: Great American Products (buyout) Style and Themes: Produced early copies of "Tiffany" buckles and then developed several series of original designs, also produced corporate designs. Visit my index of belt buckle manufacturers and artists to view belt buckle hallmarks, history, and other information Profile: The Lewis Buckle Co. was an early commercial manufacturer of modern bar-and-pin belt buckles in the United States. They began by producing reproductions of the Tiffany style buckles from the late 60s and early 70s, but quickly developed their own designs and business strategy. The buckles were plated with either brass or pewter over a dense alloy (likely pewter) with high relief designs in a variety of styles including hippie culture, Americana, the old west, consumer product brands, and custom corporate designs. Like many other buckle makers, they designed and produced a buckle series with original artwork that commemorated statehood for each of the U.S. states. Production under the Lewis name ceased when the company was acquired by rival belt buckle manufacturer, Great American Products, in the early 1980s. History: Lewis Buckle Co. belt buckles were sold through a variety of channels including mail order advertisements in newspapers and magazines, as well as sales catalogs. Many of the early designs, including the Winchester and Colt Revolvers buckles pictured below in the magazine ad, were reproductions of "Tiffany" designs from the late 60s and early 70s. (For more information on Tiffany style buckles visit my belt buckle history pages). For $5 you have a belt buckle mailed to you and show your support for the 2nd Amendment. The "Tiffany" reproduction buckles were internally dubbed Series 100 by Lewis Buckle Co. and represented only a portion of their offering of about 200 designs in 1975. In total, there were five unique series: Series 100 (Tiffany reproductions): Coca Cola designs, cigarette paper brands, Harley Davidson, antique automobiles, old west & Americana Series 200 (alcohol brands): Heileman's Old Style Beer, Budweiser, Hennessy, Hamm's Beer, Miller, Olympia, & more Series 300 (miscellaneous original designs): Various uncategorized original designs Series 400 (U.S. State series): One buckle for each U.S. State with the date of statehood, original artwork Series 500 (Railroads): Burlington, Santa Fe, Union Pacific, Frisco, & more The company also created retail sales channels by offering store displays and "blister pack" shrink wrap packaging for an additional fee. The wholesale prices for Lewis Buckle Co. belt buckles in 1975 ranged from $1.60 to $2.35/ea. depending on quantity. The retail prices would have been $4 to $5, which is roughly equivalent to $20 to $25 in today's dollars after accounting for inflation. In addition to their original and retail designs, Lewis Buckle Co. offered leather belts and specialty design services for custom and corporate buckles. A sales catalog, ca. 1975, provides some limited information on company structure and management: The State Series was designed by Nancy Lewis and Mary Kale (Vice-President of Lewis Buckle Co., Inc. and owner of Kale Advertising, an L.B.Co. subsidiary). - Quote from Series 400 Section, pages not numbered My research on Nancy Lewis and Mary Kale has not yielded any additional information. You can contact me with additional information about the company and I'll update this post as needed. Want More?-- Follow us on Twitter -- ~Telling stories through belt buckles~ Trivia, Art History, Film & TV, Americana, Vintage Fashion, Hippies, Pop Culture, Cowboys, more... About the Author: Brock Lane has an MS in Applied economics and operates multiple shops on Etsy, eBay, and Shopify. He maintains an inventory of over 10,000 rare and unique belt buckles, leather belts, and other goods. He leverages his sales history and professional background to write about trends in online retail marketplaces. Brock is an eBay affiliate and earns commission from linked products & shops. Learn more at: www.beltbucklehistory.com Shop for vintage belt buckles on Brock's Etsy Shop or at Brock's eBay Store

Summary: Manufacturer/Artist: CDC Metalworks/Adezy Status: Defunct. Most active in the 1970s. Location: Colorado (Boulder and Denver) Suspected affiliate companies: Talcon Int'l Ind, Donahue Enterprises, Ultra Entertainment Inc, Spec-Cast, PPI, Chad Mfg Style and Themes: Designs frequently featured local Colorado cities, ski resorts, and businesses. Retail design buckles included a variety of animals, artistic hippie designs, and some novelty/gag humor. Visit my index of belt buckle manufacturers and artists to view belt buckle hallmarks, history, and other information Profile: During the mid and late 70s, Adezy produced numerous belt buckles in Denver, Colorado in both retail and custom designs. Many of the buckles were sold as souvenir items in tourist/visitor destinations in Colorado, so many of the buckles you find today will feature the names of ski resorts and small towns in the Colorado Rockies. The buckles were usually plated with brass but some had a silver-tone finish (likely chrome or nickel). The condition will vary dramatically between pieces depending on how frequently they were worn. Even those buckles which were not used will typically have heavy discoloration from aging. During the early 80s, Adezy produced a limited edition collector series of commemorative U.S. State belt buckles. Each one had a glossy silver-tone finish and a prominent Swarovski Crystal embedded on the face. They also made a series of buckles depicting different dog breeds, several humorous/joke designs, and a variety of artistic pieces. History: My belief is that Adezy originally produced buckles under the names C.D.C. Metalworks and C.D.C. Associates Inc in the early 1970s. The earliest known buckle from this maker is this one (photographed below) which apparently promoted the original "C.D.C Associates", a group made up of chemists, spectrographers, and assayers. It is not known how this company transitioned into commercially producing belt buckles, or what the abbreviation C.D.C. represents. It's difficult to read, but the banner on the backside says "Boulder Colorado" on the lower left (Adezy buckles are frequently marked "Denver Colorado" so the company may have relocated from Boulder to Denver in the early 70s). During the early 70s the company produced belt buckles that featured the names of Colorado cities, railroads, landmarks, and US states. The backside of these early buckles had a distinct weaved-ribbon pattern connecting the area between the loop and pin (photographed top row), and a lesser number had an arrowhead logo with a bighorn sheep ram (lower left). Most designs that I have encountered with these hallmarks were copyright dated 1975 or earlier. One late example of a C.D.C. belt buckle (photographed lower right) used a font that closely resembles the Adezy logo with the large curl protruding from the letter "M". This is the only example I've encountered with a copyright date later than 1975. I believe that C.D.C Metalworks underwent an major change in 1975 or 1976 and switched from using the C.D.C Metalworks name to Adezy. The similarity of design/construction of the C.D.C and Adezy belt buckles provides evidence that the companies are one in the same. The buckles always utilized a method of plating over a base metal with distinctively shaped 1 3/4" belt loops. The subject matter and artwork are also similar between the Adezy and C.D.C belt buckles, often featuring Colorado cities, ski resorts, and wildlife. Adezy (pronounced Ad-Easy) company was most active during the late 70s and early 80s, so most buckles you encounter will be from this period. A few buckles from 1979-1983 indicate another major transition may have occurred within the company. Several brass-plated designs—also produced in Colorado—used company names like Donahue Enterprises, Talcon International Industries Inc, Ultra Entertainment Industries Inc. (Paula Freed), and Spec-Cast. This interesting belt buckle (photographed right) shows the re-emergence of the weaved-ribbon pattern and is marked "Spec-Cast Denver, CO". It indicates a connection between Spec-Cast and the earlier company, C.D.C. Metalworks. A trademark search shows that Adezy was formed in 1975 and the trademark expired in 1986. Spec-Cast is still operating today and they produce die cast replica vehicles as well as belt buckles and lapel pins from Dyersville, Iowa. I've reached out to Spec-Cast to inquire about their company history but have not yet received a response. I will update this post if I learn anything new! Want More?-- Follow us on Twitter -- ~Telling stories through belt buckles~ Trivia, Art History, Film & TV, Americana, Vintage Fashion, Hippies, Pop Culture, Cowboys, more... About the Author: Brock Lane has an MS in Applied economics and operates multiple shops on Etsy, eBay, and Shopify. He maintains an inventory of over 10,000 rare and unique belt buckles, leather belts, and other goods. He leverages his sales history and professional background to write about trends in online retail marketplaces. Brock is an eBay affiliate and earns commission from linked products & shops. Learn more at: www.beltbucklehistory.com Shop for vintage belt buckles on Brock's Etsy Shop or at Brock's eBay Store

In this article I'll discuss the methods I use for cleaning the belt buckles that I sell on Etsy. These techniques are not exclusively for belt buckles and can be used on anything old that is made from brass, bronze, pewter, or silver. I'll go over how to clean with soapy water, polishing compounds, and steel wool. Summary: Warm, soapy water and a brush with plastic bristles is a great way to remove grime and light tarnish from your belt buckle without overcleaning and hurting the value. This is the method I always recommend first - it doesn't take much time and you don't have to buy any special products. If you want to do a deeper cleaning, I recommend a polish called Brasso. (It's available on Amazon and we earn a small commission when you use our affiliate link) Article Contents Reasons to not clean a belt buckle Soapy water + plastic brush method Chemical/abrasive polish method Steel Wool method Don't clean your belt buckle unless you have to! The first piece of advice that I give to someone who asks about cleaning a belt buckle is that you shouldn't... The problem is that heavy cleaning with chemicals or abrasives will remove the rich color and patina that develops on metals like brass and silver. I've made this mistake dozens of times and I'm always surprised at how much I regret my decision. So before you pick up the steel wool, take a little time to look over your belt buckle and decide if you really do want to clean it. Here are several reasons to hold off on a deep cleaning: Heavy cleaning will remove black coloring that was intentionally added by the maker of the belt buckle - there are oxidizing agents and paints that belt buckle makers will use to provide a two-tone effect on solid brass belt buckles. Chemical polishes will remove tarnished areas on your brass, but they will also remove the blackening. The buckle on the right has a small tarnished spot on the letter "D", but the dimpled background has been treated so it turns black and gives high relief to the lettering. A chemical polish on this buckle would remove the blackening and reduce the value. The same thing is true for sterling silver buckles that were made using the "overlay method". A chemical polish would remove the black background that makes the design stand out from the polished surface. This buckle has some discoloration from age around the edges, especially on the left side, but I would never polish a belt buckle like this. Collectors strongly prefer to have the patina for looks, and it is also a good indication of age and metal purity. Cleaning can remove the surface of plated belt buckles - Many mass-produced belt buckles from companies like Bergamot Brass Works, Indiana Metal Craft, Great American Buckle Co, and others made buckles with a base metal and then plated them with brass, pewter, or nickel. The plated layer of metal can be thin and flake away with heavy cleaning. Here's an example of a belt buckle with brass plating that looks much worse after a cleaning because the base metal now shows through. I recommend that you do a little research to try and figure out what your buckle is made from before you start cleaning. I've created an index of manufacturers and artists to aid in identification of belt buckles, including photographs of hallmarks and maker's marks. To access the index, click here. Cleaning can damage resin or plastic belt buckles - Belt buckles made from casting resin will develop micro-scratches when cleaned, giving them a cloudy appearance. There are specific compounds and cloths made for polishing plastic. In the future, I'll be writing another article specifically on this process. You can subscribe to my email list to get notified when it becomes available. NAP/AMINCO buckles - Some belt buckles made by NAP, AMINCO, or Heritage will have an enameled insert that can be damaged with cleaning. These inserts are held in place with a foam-backed adhesive that can degrade over time. I've had back luck trying to clean these buckles because water and polishes will get trapped behind the insert and then cause it to peel away or fall out. How to clean your belt buckle Warm Soapy Water If you decide that you do want to clean your belt buckle, I recommend starting out with warm water and dish soap just like you might use to clean your dishes. The trick is to use a brush with plastic bristles that will dig down into the cracks and crevices of the design on the belt buckle. The plastic bristles are firm enough to get rid of grime and tarnish, but soft enough to avoid damage. Scrub the buckle for a couple of minutes from different angles to get it as clean as possible. This is the brush that I've used to clean a few hundred belt buckles. Here's an example of a western rodeo trophy belt buckle that was just plain dirty... The areas around the paisley accents and lettering are hard to reach though, which is why the brush comes in handy! Cleaning this buckle with a chemical polish would have been a TERRIBLE idea and probably would have removed a bunch of the black paint and gold plating. All it needed was some TLC with soap, water, and a brush. -Here are more examples of buckles where I use soap & water cleaning- Top - The plastic bristles on the brush dug into the grooves on the squirrel's fur really nicely and removed the white tarnish (especially around the ears and mouth) while keeping the nice brassy color. Middle - The acrylic insert on this buckle had a lot of grim that came off easily with soapy water... no chemical polish necessary (which can melt plastics) Bottom - This buckle has holes and unusual shapes that would be difficult to get to with a sponge and the brush was a much better choice. A light cleaning will make this much easier to sell in my shop. (left is before cleaning- right side is after) Remember, If you do a light cleaning and find it's not enough, you can always move on to another method—but you can't undo any cleaning you've already done. Polishing Compound Sometimes it's necessary to use an abrasive chemical polish to clean belt buckles. There are many brands out there, but I've always used Brasso. This belt buckle, made of German silver, had heavy tarnishing after being exposed to water for a long period of time. It looks much better (but not perfect) after polishing. I've used Brasso on solid brass, bronze, and german silver belt buckles, but it can also be used on stainless steel, aluminum, and pewter—it's not recommended for silver. If you're cleaning a silver buckle, there are specific products for that like Wright's, Blue Magic, and others. INSTRUCTIONS: For Brasso, Follow the directions on the back of the bottle and apply the polish using a cloth or sponge. I like to get a layer of polish over the whole surface I'm going to clean and then let it sit for a couple of minutes. Then, I use the abrasive side of a sponge and start rubbing the face of the buckle over my sink. The compound has an abrasive that gives it a gritty feel (sort of like toothpaste) and will help to remove heavy tarnish and discoloration, but it will also leave very light scratches on the finished surface. It's very similar to using sandpaper on a piece of wood. So, I tend to scrub the surface horizontally with a back and forth motion that minimizes the appearance of any polishing marks. If you use a circular motion or frequently change directions it can show up on the finished surface. Overall, I've had a great experience with this method and I've probably cleaned a couple hundred buckles this way. This "Kenny" belt buckle is made from solid brass and had some ugly marks and stains, so I decided to use a polishing compound on it. It looks much cleaner now, but the tradeoff is that you lose the rich color that comes from age. If you're like me, you'll spend a couple of minutes polishing by hand and then realize... "Can't I use a power tool to do this?" A buffing wheel or dremel might seem like a good way to speed up the process, but I wouldn't recommend it. In my experience, a buffing wheel is too fast and creates problems with Brasso polish. The friction will cause the belt buckle to heat up and dry out the polish. If you don't pay close attention, you'll end up baking it into any cracks or crevices on the buckle. It gets really hard like cement, and you'll have a difficult time trying to remove it. So now, I only use the polish to clean by hand... it's sort of a pain, but I get much better results. Steel Wool Steel wool is a last resort for me when it comes to cleaning buckles. It can be used to get rid of really heavy tarnishing, but takes a lot of effort so I don't use this method very often. One thing you may not realize about steel wool is that it comes in grades, similar to how sandpaper has a rated grit. So, if you decide to clean your belt buckle with steel wool you'll probably want to buy a few different sizes. I keep a supply of #1 (Medium), 0 (Medium-Fine), and 00 (Fine) for working on heavily tarnished brass belt buckles. If you've never used finer steel wools (0 through 0000) you might want to put on a pair of rubber gloves before you start handling it. The metal fibers are so small that they can get lodged into your skin and cause irritation. Start out with the coarsest steel wool you have (grade #1) and submerge your wool pad in water. Take your time to thoroughly polish the belt buckle, spending extra time on areas with persistent discoloration. The fibers in the wool will break up as you use it, and you might see a dark powder or residue forming. I like to do this in my sink with some water in the basin so I can occasionally rinse the buckle and pad. You can also use steel wool to buff out heavy scratches. For the best results, scrub perpendicularly to (across) any large scratches. When you're satisfied that you've removed the tarnish on the buckle, you can use the finer wools to remove any fine scratches that you've caused with the course wool. Start working the metal with the next-finest wool (grade 0), rubbing all area in a circular motion. Repeat the process with grade 00 wool until you achieve a fine polish. You can continue with even finer wools if desired. Conclusion Polishing a belt buckle can damage it, so be certain that it's what you want to do. If you're not sure, try doing a light cleaning with soapy water and a brush and see if you like how it turns out. You can always do additional polishing with a product like Brasso or by using steel wool. Try to figure out what your buckle is made from before you start cleaning because plated buckles or plastics can get damaged. If you found this article helpful & want to support BeltBuckleHistory.com, here are the products we use & recommend: Plastic bristled brush: Link Brasso multi-purpose metal polish: Link Steel wool #1 grade (medium): Link Steel wool 0 grade (medium): Link Steel wool 00 grade (medium): Link We earn a small commission with these Amazon affiliate links Want More?-- Follow us on Twitter -- ~Telling stories through belt buckles~ Trivia, Art History, Film & TV, Americana, Vintage Fashion, Hippies, Pop Culture, Cowboys, more... About the Author: Brock Lane has an M.S. in applied economics and operates multiple shops on Etsy, eBay, and Shopify. He maintains an inventory of over 10,000 rare and unique belt buckles, leather belts, and other goods. He leverages his sales history and professional background to write about trends in online retail marketplaces. Brock is an eBay & Amazon affiliate & earns commission from linked products and stores. Learn more at: www.beltbucklehistory.com Shop for vintage belt buckles on Brock's Etsy Shop or at Brock's eBay Store Other articles you might enjoy: Tiffany Belt Buckles - The Complete Story: Link Index of Belt Buckle Manufacturers and Artists: Link Belt Buckle History-by-decade Articles: Link How to clean a tarnished belt buckle: Link

Summary: Yes, old belt buckles can be worth good money ($500+) if they're made by a famous artist or manufacturer. In this article, I'll walk through the basics of belt buckle valuation and what collectors are looking for in a rare design. If you're trying to sell belt buckles and would like to get an offer, you can click here https://www.beltbucklehistory.com/sellbeltbuckles Common Questions Addressed in this Article How to tell the age of a belt buckle? What do belt buckle hallmarks mean? What is my belt buckle made of? How do I sell my belt buckle? Vintage is Back! Vintage clothing and accessories, especially belt buckles, are seeing a big resurgence. Just like the popularity of 1970s muscle cars and hippie art, vintage belt buckles from the 1970s are coming back into style. Baby boomers are getting nostalgic about the clothing and styles they remember from childhood, and young people are helping bring back the 70s and the 80s. Roughly half of my 10,000 online sales are customers buying gifts for someone else, and the other half are collectors. The fact is, vintage belt buckles are hot right now and the trinkets that you inherited or picked up at a garage sale could be worth big bucks! Not every belt buckle is a thrifting home-run, though, and there are plenty of worthless buckles out there. So, what makes a belt buckle valuable? Who Made it? One of the most important factors in figuring out if your belt buckle is valuable knowing who made it. Many now-famous artists and designers started their careers using belt buckles as a medium for artwork, and that can increase the value of your belt buckle a lot. I've created an index of manufacturers and artists to aid in identification of belt buckles, including photographs of hallmarks and maker's marks. To access the index, click here. Many commercially manufactured buckles will have Hallmarks or Signatures on the back to indicate who made it. This is a great starting place for estimating the value of your piece. Learning who made your buckle can also help you to figure out when and where it was made, what material was used, and who designed the artwork. If you can connect the buckle to an artist or company, you make it easier for potential buyers to find it. This technical term for this process is called "provenance"-- where you learn about and verify the origins of artwork. Artisan or handmade buckles will often have a signature and date, but they can be hard to read! Most handmade buckles were cast using the lost-wax or sandcasting method so the details of a signature can be illegible or worn away with use over time. This buckle (photo left) was made by jewelry designer David Yurman. The signature didn't come out very clear in the casting process, but identifying it made a difference of about $600 in value on this buckle. You might have to do some research by trying to find buckles of similar style to ID the maker. Even if it takes some time, it may be worth your effort to figure out who made it. If you learn that your buckle was made by a famous artist, it will pay for the effort you've put into researching. How Old is your Belt Buckle? Determining the age of your belt buckle is important for establishing its worth. As you might guess, older belt buckles tend to be more valuable. The modern belt buckles we're accustomed to gained popularity in the early 1970s, and the industry was most active in the late 70s and early 80s. Prior to that time, most people were wearing friction fit buckles like those made by Hickock and other companies. I recommend that you start by figuring out the manufacturer or artist of your belt buckle before trying to determine age. In many cases, this will narrow down the time frame considerably if you know when the manufacturer was in business and most active. For more information on the history and origin of belt buckles, visit my history-by-decade articles here. Here are a few other considerations when trying to determine age: Copyright dates are not a good indication of age. Remember, a copyright is valid for 70 years -- if a belt buckle design was copyrighted in 1975, it will be valid until 2045! There are several buckle manufacturers that were founded in the 1970s that are still around today and using their original designs. So, a buckle made in 2021 might still have a copyright date from the 70s. Indiana Metal Craft, Bergamot Brass Works, and Great American Products (Great American Buckle Co.) are a few examples of this. ​ Some metals will change in color over time. Metals like brass and sterling silver will darken over time and that helps to indicate whether a belt buckle is vintage or modern. You might see or hear terms like patina or verdigris (fancy words for tarnishing). This simply refers to the natural process of oxidation over time. You might be tempted to clean or remove the tarnish from your buckle -- don't!! the natural aged color is usually desirable on all variety of collectibles and antiques, including belt buckles. Cleaning your buckle can reduce the value significantly. But if you reaalllly want to polish your belt buckle, I've written a blog post about how to do it: Blog Post TThe "Sally" buckle on the left has more vivid and richer color caused by the aging of brass. The "Rudy" buckle on the right has been polished with steel wool which removes the patina. My customers usually prefer the natural aged color. What's it Made of? Belt buckles were made from a wide variety of materials, and you'll want to try and identify what your belt buckle is made from. There are obvious reasons for doing your homework—like avoiding accidentally selling a silver or gold buckle really cheap—but you'll also benefit from just providing more information on your item to a potential buyer. Examples of common belt buckle materials include: Solid brass Pewter Brass or pewter plating over a cheaper base metal Natural materials like bone, animal antler/horn, and ivory Wood Precious metals like gold and silver Plastics Metal-plastic composites A lot of folk art-type buckles were made by amateur craftsmen using ordinary materials. I've seen old buckles made with repurposed silverware (see photo), pine cones, irrigation pipes, etc... the sky is the limit in terms of creativity. There are advantages and disadvantages to each material, and some are more valuable than others. In my online shops, I've found that solid brass (or bronze) belt buckles tend to be the most popular and respected, among both gift-givers and high-end collectors. They're simply the most durable and don't wear out over time. Legality of wildlife parts- Be cautious when trying to sell a belt buckle that's made with bone, antler, or other materials derived from wildlife. Depending on the country or state you live in, it might be illegal to sell belt buckles that contain: ivory, fossilized ivory, anything from endangered or protected species, etc. And even if it's not illegal, you might not be allowed to sell it on Etsy, eBay, or even with Google shopping. Review the policies of the marketplace you're using to figure out what you can and can't do. This sterling silver belt buckle has beautiful craftsmanship with high quality turquoise stones and red coral accents... unfortunately it's prohibited on Etsy and eBay because of the bear claw set in the center. Bear parts violate the policies of most online marketplaces due to conservational concerns. I sold this buckle for $250, but I had to create my own Shopify store to do it! Condition- Your buckle needs to be in good condition if you're trying to get top dollar for it. Your belt buckle might check off all the other boxes, but if it has severe scratches and heavy tarnishing—don't expect a big payday. As with any vintage goods, the condition of a belt buckle matters a lot. This belt buckle (photo left) was originally plated with brass over pewter, but after years of daily wear the plating is heavily tarnished and wearing off. It took a couple of years to sell this buckle for $12 with free shipping... Setting a Price The value of your belt buckle is going to be influenced by who made it, the age, and the condition. My experience is that most belt buckles can bring $25 if they have good artwork and no heavy scratches or tarnishing. Remember to think about who might be interested in buying your belt buckle. How many people are interested in that type of artwork, design, or the event that it's commemorating? Here are some factors that will create a premium or bonus on your belt buckle: It's rare It comes with original manufacturer packaging like boxes or bags It has cool artwork or subject matter It has a high level of craftsman ship (i.e. a handcrafted buckle is usually more valuable than a mass-produced one) It's made with precious metals or semi-precious materials like polished stones, bone and antler, etc. See what's already out there One of the easiest ways to figure out values is to go find something similar that's for sale. You can comparison shop on eBay, Etsy, Mercari, Poshmark, or other marketplaces and try to find a belt buckle that's the same or similar to the one you have. You can also try a marketplace aggregator like Gem.App. It's a cool website that combines clothing & accessories listings from a bunch of different places to save you time. Marketplaces where you can do price research: Advanced eBay Search: Sold Items Most people don't know that you can look at sold items on eBay to see how much they went for. It's a treasure trove of information that helps you find out how much things actually sell for. You can also modify the search criteria to pick what price range, condition, and date you want to check. This is another great way to help you set a price for your old belt buckles. One last consideration before you set a price for your belt buckle is... how will you be selling it? If you're looking to get your money fast, don't expect top dollar. Selling vintage goods online can be like going to a pawn shop. If you want to sell something fast—like in a 7-day eBay auction—you probably won't get that higher "retail" price. The best place to start out when trying to figure out value is by looking at what other people are doing. If you follow the steps I've outlined in this article, you should be able to find a similar belt buckle available for sale somewhere online. That will give you an idea of the retail value and give you a an idea of what your belt buckle might be worth. Want More?-- Follow us on Twitter -- ~Telling stories through belt buckles~ Trivia, Art History, Film & TV, Americana, Vintage Fashion, Hippies, Pop Culture, Cowboys, more... About the Author: Brock Lane has an M.S. in applied economics and operates multiple shops on Etsy, eBay, and Shopify. He maintains an inventory of over 10,000 rare and unique belt buckles, leather belts, and other goods. He leverages his sales history and professional background to write about trends in online retail marketplaces. Brock is an eBay affiliate and earns commission from linked products and stores. Learn more at: www.beltbucklehistory.com Shop for vintage belt buckles on Brock's Etsy Shop or at Brock's eBay Store Get an offer at: www.beltbucklehistory.com/sellbeltbuckles Other articles you might enjoy: Tiffany Belt Buckles - The Complete Story: Link Index of Belt Buckle Manufacturers and Artists: Link Belt Buckle History-by-decade Articles: Link How to clean a tarnished belt buckle: Link