Modified turquoise chip inlay buckle

I purchased this buckle at a sale this morning. I can’t quite figure out what is going on with the back. It looks like someone cut off the pin that goes in the belt hole, then attached the hogue piece to it. It makes no sense to me why someone would do that. My question is how much of the value is lost because of this?

I am also wondering if I should try and take the added piece off to look for a signature under there. But, I worry about getting it back on if I take it off.

 

Two loops on a buckle, one of them so close to the hook, doesn't make sense.
Looks like it was never a buckle, but rather a concha/concho from a concho belt. The belt would slide through the loops on the backs of several conchos like this.

 

A turquoise chip concho belt, Etsy, dead link:

 

Yes, I thought maybe a concho piece too. But, that that little circle piece made me think otherwise. But you are probably right. The brackets for the concho do look original.

 

Do you think I should take off the attachment piece to look for a signature?

 

It looks like it could be from the period that very few pieces were signed, so maybe not.

 

that homemade aluminum buckle fix is ugly as stink ....but I respect it !
if u wanted a buckle , I'm sure a jeweller could make a better fix, and still keep the original copper bands...

 

If it were mine, that back would be scrap-metal in a heartbeat, with nary a thought given to replacing it after examination. I'm not sure about what komo means about 'respecting' it...tho' I've no quarrel with that.

 

someone wanted a buckle.....and had the idea , materials and skill to make it happen.
Is it pretty, no
does it work ..yes

I respect that creativity !

 

It's a commercially made buckle,they used to be advertised in a number of jewelry catalogs like Grieger's jewelry supply.

 

Right, it makes the piece function as a buckle. Which someone might appreciate? I think I read somewhere that soldering onto a piece with chip inlay is very difficult because it can heat the turquoise and ruin it.

 

sorry , but I'd need to see that to believe that.....
and you're only referring to the aluminum, right ?
and if indeed so.....that's the worst commercial effort I've ever seen......with jagged edges, poor crimping and badly cut wire...

 

well the original copper bands are not soldered anywhere near the inlay.....

 

Accidentally added a couple of scratches trying to pry it off. Oops. Didn’t find any marks, other than a price written in marker.

 

you got no sizes....but looks large, so a C note..not a terrible price at the time....

and.....the aluminum was a home project......imo..... & won't be missed..!!

 

Nice. It weighs 61 grams. It is a bit over 3.5 inches long and 2.75 inches wide.

 

Do you think 1970-80 ish ?

 

3 of my SW watch bands.........notice one that matches your concho..?

70's..80's......thereabouts sounds fine....

 

Yup-chip inlay was started by Tommy Singer in the 60s. It’s a nice piece. Single conchas can be put on a braided leather cord. People also laser pins on them. Glad you took that awful piece off.

 

It may not match my buckle, but I love that middle band! Thanks for your help!