The Anamaria Belt

[Mojo Turbo]

So I had a question, especially to those Jacks who own an original ACME AM Belt buckle. My buckle came from a fellow Jack and he told me it came from Empire Worldwide. Now, there has been some speculation that Empire recast ACME's buckles - and there are some who think he just uses ACME buckles. Here is the backside of mine - what say you? Does this look like a recast, or is this what ACME's look like on the back?



I seem to remember hearing that ACME's center post is different.

What sayest you?

[Button It]

So I had a question, especially to those Jacks who own an original ACME AM Belt buckle. My buckle came from a fellow Jack and he told me it came from Empire Worldwide. Now, there has been some speculation that Empire recast ACME's buckles - and there are some who think he just uses ACME buckles. Here is the backside of mine - what say you? Does this look like a recast, or is this what ACME's look like on the back?

I seem to remember hearing that ACME's center post is different.

What sayest you?

I could be wrong but I'm fairly sure that originally this was available as a Santa buckle? So it's probably they both got hold of it and had that to "work from".

[Mojo Turbo]

Yes, it was a Santa buckle a long while back.

[rockstarpirate90]

Then that's your answer mate.
Funny how a Santa buckle becomes a famous pirate buckle:P

[Mojo Turbo]

No... that's not my answer. My question was.. does anyone have an ACME AM belt that they could compare the back to?

My specific question was:

Does this look like a recast, or is this what ACME's look like on the back?

[rockstarpirate90]

well the backside looks similiar but the centerpost on a Acme buckle is different.

[callmemilo]

Yeah, just compared to by Acme buckle, and it doesn't look the same. The Acme one has a slightly more hand-touched finish to it, whereas yours looks somewhat more machined.

[redsleighdown]

I can post pics in a bit, but I have 3 Acme AM belts, all from different purchases. If I remember correctly, Acme began with straight casts from the santa buckle (I believe that's what you have) so it would be hard to tell if its a recast. Then Acme reenforced the center bar to make it stronger. Then he eventually added distinguishing bump marks on the back (as well as maybe an inscription). So The answer is... maybe? It looks like you have an unaltered buckle so it could be either an early Acme, or an Empire (which may or may not be recasted early Acme).

[Jinkxed Jack]

Not an original, but may help anyway. Just got my newly ordered buckles from ACME today. Ordered his newest AM buckle, the OST version. Here are some pics to go by, including his redesigned back that you were asking about. According to his Ebay listing for this buckle, Richard is doing it this way on the back to make it more difficult to recast. I have no experience at casting things like this, so I don't completely know how this would prevent exact recasts. A one sided mold maybe?



The newly added sections look like he just cut sections from another buckle and welded them on the full buckle, and they don't sit flush with the rest of the buckle. Just slightly higher on the front side. Marked in the below photo. I haven't studied OST pics enough to know if the screen used one is done the same way, or not. A great looking buckle none the less.



Hope that helps.

[Mojo Turbo]

yea... I am going to keep calling my buckle an Empire then... cause it does not look anything like an ACME

[Jinkxed Jack]

Didn't think of the measurements until just now.

It measures 3 ¼" wide through the center, and has a length of 4 7/8" through the center as well.

[redsleighdown]

IF I remember correctly, this is an older acme brand cast (straight copy of santa belt) before he added the bumps or reinforced middle bar:



Here, is the Empire repro (some say cast (poorly) off of acme's reinforced copies). Notice the E and W:



Don't know dates bought, but I can say both were definitely purchased pre-May 2007.

[Mojo Turbo]

well, now I am confused, cause your top one looks EXACTLY like mine...

[redsleighdown]

Yours is either a Santa original, or more likely it is a cast from Richard (or Toby did some a while back too). It could be EW, but it doesn't have the inscription and it looks well made lol.

[BroadSword]

What is the difference between the AWE and OST versions??

[BroadSword]

What is the difference between the AWE and OST versions??

Anyone have any input on this question? Is there anything different besides the oxidation??

[Cap.cristianSparrow]

What is the difference between the AWE and OST versions??

Anyone have any input on this question? Is there anything different besides the oxidation??

here we go.. DMC and AWE left. OST right. Buckles .

[BroadSword]

Big difference! Thank you!

[BroadSword]

Oh and by the way... If anyone is trading up to an OST and wants to move their AWE versionN I'm in the market...as it were!

[Capn_Jack_Savvy]

Just to let you know ACME cast the OST extra piece himself and hand welded each and every belt buckle himself! He crafted it himself because he had more control over his own product. Not an easy job considering how small the OST extra piece is and that each one had to be attached and carefully welded to the buckle.

He did a heave ho fine job of it was well!! Another fine product from Richard!

And ahhhh yes! I remember that Santa belt buckle sold on a costume website in the UK from times gone by!!!! Fond memories of that discovery!

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