1950s Buckle with Anchor

[Breezie]

Hey Gang, I found it quite unusual that a 1950's tin(could be nickel) cap gun holster buckle would have a hallmark. The hallmark anchor is located on the back of the center piece. Does anyone know what company used an anchor like this? Thanks in advance, Breezie

 

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[SODABOTTLEBOB]

Breezie ~

I collect southwest souvenirs and may be able to help you with this. Somewhere in the website I am providing a link to it discusses the following:

Most hallmarks books indicate an upright anchor for silver and a sideways ...

Link: http://www.modernsilver.com/basichallmarks.htm

I just briefly scrolled through the site. And even though I did not find the partial statement shown above, I'm sure it's there somewhere.

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[SODABOTTLEBOB]

Found it! But I think it needs more research. Are you sure it's not silver/silver plated?

"Most hallmarks books indicate an upright anchor for silver and a sideways anchor for gold, but this was not strictly adhered to."

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[Breezie]

Hey Bob, thanks for the RSVP. Yes, I am sure it is either tin or nickel plated tin. It attracts a magnet. It's a 'cheapie' buckle that was on a kid's 1950s leather cap gun holster. I've bought/sold literally hundreds 1950s cap gun holsters, and have never seen a hallmark on one, which is why it surprised me. Unless it was an extremely expensive holster, say, one with a solid Roy Rogers buckle, most of the buckles on these cap gun holsters were embossed fairly cheap ones. Breezie

 

[Bigcypresshunter]

I have seen that anchor mark before. Ill have to get my brain in gear. The company is North something.

 

[Bigcypresshunter]

North & Judd http://forum.treasurenet.com/index.php/topic,309997.0.html http://www.vintagegunleather.com/shoppe/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=4&products_id=114

 

[Bigcypresshunter]

Found it! But I think it needs more research. Are you sure it's not silver/silver plated?

"Most hallmarks books indicate an upright anchor for silver and a sideways anchor for gold, but this was not strictly adhered to."

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I never heard that one. At least I have never heard it said in that general way. It must be a sentence taken out of context.

 

[Bigcypresshunter]

Hey Bob, thanks for the RSVP. Yes, I am sure it is either tin or nickel plated tin. It attracts a magnet. It's a 'cheapie' buckle that was on a kid's 1950s leather cap gun holster. I've bought/sold literally hundreds 1950s cap gun holsters, and have never seen a hallmark on one, which is why it surprised me. Unless it was an extremely expensive holster, say, one with a solid Roy Rogers buckle, most of the buckles on these cap gun holsters were embossed fairly cheap ones. Breezie

Are you sure its a toy buckle. I found a North & Judd silver plated but I dont know if they made toy buckles. http://www.worthpoint.com/worthopedia/3-buckles-2-sterling-1-overlay-bridle-headstall

 

[Breezie]

BCH, thank you for your research on the hallmark. Yes, I'm 200% sure this buckle came off of a toy cap gun holster because I removed it myself to do leather repair on the holster. At least 75% of our sales are vintage cap guns & holsters from the 1950s. I made the pic below from Jim Schleyer's book, Backyard Buckaroos, which is THE reference book for die cast 50's cap guns/holsters. He states the pictured buckle was on an Esquire Novelty Co. holster, but the holster that I have is made by the infamous Keyston Brothers. From my experience I've seen various holster makers use a variety of buckles, most (of the nice ones) are made of nickel. I have never seen a hallmark on a toy buckle until today. Breezie

 

[Bigcypresshunter]

I didnt research it but I remembered the anchor mark.

 

[SODABOTTLEBOB]

Breezie ~

For a guy like myself who collects western souvenirs, (mostly old Route 66 Trading Post type stuff) I sure came up empty-handed on your anchor mark. It looks like Big Cy's find is the best possibilty.

I thought it was interesting what you said about 75% of your sales being related to old cap gun and holster sets. There was a time when I wanted to collect that sort of thing exclusively. That is until I came across a near mint, in the box Roy Rogers set that some guy wouldn't negotiate off of $1,250.00. That's when I realized I was out of my league. The only thing left of my Roy Rogers stuff is his first lunch box and thermos from about 1952. I got it for a steal at $20.00, and estimate it's grade 8.5 value at about $250.00.

Happy Trails.

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[Breezie]

BCH, Obviously North & Judd must have made some nickel buckles for cap gun holsters, so I'm going to green check this post. Thanks for the ID. Here's some company history:
http://nbim.technivision.com/?page_id=45

Bob, Yes, some of the big name brand cap gun sets can go for pretty big bucks, but there are some really nice sets that are much more reasonably priced that the Roy Rogers you were trying to buy.

Breezie

 

[SODABOTTLEBOB]

Breezie ~

If you haven't discovered it already, Google "North & Judd" and you will see where their main product seems to be "spurs" (adult and youth). They even produced a line of cast iron toy trucks back in the day. But of the dozens of spurs I saw, I didn't see a single toy belt buckle like yours, nor anything related to cap guns, etc. The buckle may have been a one time thing for some reason.

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