Posted 9 years ago
AncientApple
(1 item)
Found this baby in the trash pile, in the city of Concord Ca. Hand crafted, very well aged. Not sure of it's actual age, but I cannot find another, not yet. I showed this to a collector at the swap meet, and he offered me two buckles, + 40 bucks, I just couldn't do it. He was offering me a very vintage peterbilt buckle. This may have belonged to a chief , who knows? Possibly the 1800's. It's possible I may donate it to the S.F.F.D. museum, after I'm finished showing it off?
It is not 19th century. The back shows that it is a late 20th century buckle.
Maybe a metal shop project or small run piece.
scott
I believe it's older than late 20th century, maybe early 1900's?
The description on this auction translates to "Rare San Francisco Fire Dept. brass belt buckle signed Fennell 201/500. Could only find one other buckle like this on Google and his was not signed. The buckle is signed buy the maker Fennell for Robert Anthony Fennell who was also a member of the San Francisco Fire Dept. The inscription on the seal translates to (Gold in peace, Iron in war)." No help on the age, though. http://www.ebay.com/itm/Robert-Fennell-San-Francisco-Fire-Dept-de-laton-cinturon-Buckel-hallazgo-raro-Firmado-/201488647728?_ul=AR
It's very strange, but since I posted the reply above, the auction I linked to wass been removed. Suffice to say, it was for a buckle identical to this one.
Here you are:
http://www.terapeak.com/worth/robert-fennell-san-francisco-fire-dept-brass-belt-buckel-rare-find-signed/201488647728/
The back of the buckle shows it is a 20th century product.
scott
http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/sfgate/obituary.aspx?pid=175806408
T A
Thanks, Efesgirl!
In case you missed it in his obituary:
"He became an SF Firefighter in 1966...
...He was truly a "Renaissance Man" in that he excelled in many areas of life: author, sculptor, poet, athlete, waterman, outdoorsman."
T A
Thank you for all the information. I'm curious about that ebay auction. I haven't been able to find my buckle for about 2 months. But that happens a lot, having so many things it could be here somewhere, I'm almost sure it is?
"...He was truly a "Renaissance Man" in that he excelled in many areas of life: author, sculptor, poet, athlete, waterman, outdoorsman."
I'd add sand casting to his fields of excellence!
scott
I would have no idea if mine is signed, I never cleaned it. Now I really curios about that auction. I'm now going to tear everything apart until I find it. Thanks again everyone.
With or without the identifying markings-- the maker and era has been solidly determined.
scott
Upon investigation I think mine is signed as well. I can see something under that corrosion, looks like two zeros, and I see a line. Mine is here somewhere, I hope.
When I do find mine, and I know I will, it's here somewhere, I'm going to continue wearing it for the rest of my life. I was wearing it all the time, but I did a major summer cleaning, and haven't seen it since, but I have a lot of stuff, so it's here. I would never sell it, not ever, well of course everything has a price, but it has different, spiritual meaning for me. I'm sorry, but if you find yourself in an accident, and the first responders see you wearing this belt, I'm not saying it would be a sure thing, but you might stand a better chance? The spiritual part, well that's hard to explain, but it's there, and it's the most important part of owning, and especially wearing this buckle. I definitely feel a connection to it. I don't even want to clean the tarnish off the back, I like it this way. I'm pretty sure there's something behind it, that's good enough for me. Thank you to everybody, you all know your buckles, that's for sure. It is late 20th century, the man was right. It doesn't take me long to see that someone knows what they're talking about. I'm looking for it, thanks again.
Hello, my name is Mike Fennell, I am the son of the the late Robert Fennell, the man who designed the SFFD belt buckle. The numbered belt buckle you have was created around the early 1980's . I may have helped work on that exact buckle to make some extra money in High School. When my dad was selling the bronze belt buckles, he was asking $45. If you would like more infromation, please contact me
at mfennellsf@yahoo.com.
Best Wishes,
Mike Fennell
Cool! I love it when a family member jumps in! Spikeman do you have a Google alert set up? I'm curious.
No I do not have a Google Alert setting, I guess I should. Anyway email me at my yahoo account mfennellsf@yahoo.com. I will try to answer any questions you may have.
My father would have wanted it that way. He was a great man and extremely talented. My plan is to continue casting and producing some more buckles in his memory .
Best Wishes,
Mike Fennell