The last drop from his STETSON Award Design buckle

[Ammoman]

Its been raining for what seems like forever here in NC. So, to get my treasure hunting fix, i hit a couple thrift stores.

I'm not a belt buckle collector but back in my younger days it was hard to catch me without cowboy boots and a hat and of course a stylish buckle. So, when i saw this buckle yesterday it reminded me of those days and i picked it up.

My question is...has this buckle been painted by the manufacturer or by someone after the fact. I can't find a single sample of Award Design buckles with paint on them. Could this have been a special order buckle?
I did find Stetson Advertising posters with this image on them and the colors are remarkably close.

 

[DCMatt]

I didn't see any painted ones of any kind from Award Design Medals. It is nicely done, though...

I'm guessing 1980's? One collectors site I saw had an unpainted one listed for $60.

The original painting is from the 1920's.

 

[Ammoman]

Yes i suspect 1980's as well. The company was in business from 1979 to 2000. Thanks for trying DC

 

[Oddjob]

I would suggest reaching out to Sheplers and asking them.

 

[A2coins]

Thats really cool and painted very well Good find

 

[Hawks88]

Good eye. Nice find. Great shape.

 

[ecmo]

Congrats, I like that!

 

[ANTIQUARIAN]

To me, it looks to be more of a dealer display/commemorative piece then a wearable buckle?
If it was meant to be worn, then why paint it... why not use enamel based paints then fire it?

Nice find!
Dave

 

[Ammoman]

To me, it looks to be more of a dealer display/commemorative piece then a wearable buckle?
If it was meant to be worn, then why paint it... why not use enamel based paints then fire it?

Nice find!
Dave

Very good point...because of the small chips in the paint in the upper right corner, i suspect this buckle has been used. Also, correct me if i am wrong but if enamel based paints were used we would likely not see any chips?

Here are some close ups of the chips.

 

[ANTIQUARIAN]

Very good point...because of the small chips in the paint in the upper right corner, i suspect this buckle has been used. Also, correct me if i am wrong but if enamel based paints were used we would likely not see any chips?

You're correct on both counts Ammoman.
Thanks for the additional pics.

"Enamel paint is paint that air-dries to a hard, usually glossy finish. It's primarily used for coating surfaces that are outdoors or otherwise subject to hard wear or variations in temperature. It should not be confused with decorated objects in "painted enamel", where vitreous enamel is applied with brushes and fired in a kiln. The name is something of a misnomer, as in reality, most commercially available enamel paints are significantly softer than either vitreous enamel or stoved synthetic resins and are totally different in composition; vitreous enamel is applied as a powder or paste and then fired at high temperature. There is no generally accepted definition or standard for use of the term enamel paint, and not all enamel-type paints may use it.Typically, the term "enamel paint" is used to describe oil-based covering products, usually with a significant amount of gloss in them, however recently many latex or water-based paints have adopted the term as well. The term today means "hard surfaced paint" and usually is in reference to paint brands of higher quality, floor coatings of a high gloss finish, or spray paints."