Reproduction Chinstraps

A large number of reproduction chinstraps have been produced over the last 10 years.  These chinstraps conform to the same basic standards of originals in size and materials.  However their buckles are generally not manufactured in the exact shape or style found on originals.  Using the same quality techniques used during World War II, these chinstraps are produced in large numbers in both the US and Europe.  The most common sources for high end reproduction chinstraps are often found in Poland and Czechoslovakia, although they are sold from sources all over continental Europe.  While most chinstraps are manufactured using new materials, the trend has been moving towards chinstraps that are "pre-aged" using chemicals that simulate age on the leather.  In many cases, the leather used on reproduction chinstraps will smell new, or will smell of a strong chemical odor despite the aged appearance.  Buckles are also chemically aged to match the leather while the entire item is dipped in aging solutions. 

The markings on these leather chinstraps are often the same as wartime originals, but more often then not these markings are completely fictitious.  In other words, the markings do not correspond to any of the known original chinstrap maker markings.  In fact, a large number of reproduction chinstrap markings actually contain words that have no relevance or meaning.  Misspelled words and names are common.  The number of reproduction maker marks that have been counted on current examples easily exceeds 20 in number.  It is important to note that reproduction chinstrap makers continue to change their marks and often create new "fantasy" markings to keep ahead of collectors who might discover that the marks are in fact counterfeit.  While there is nothing wrong with producing fine "replacement" chinstraps that are sold as such, almost all of the reproduction chinstraps identified have been sold repeatedly as "originals" in almost all markets.  A sample of the style of maker marks found on some reproduction chinstraps are shown below.  By no means does this constitute a complete assembly of all known reproduction maker marks.  The number is too vast to assemble an accurate list which continues to change on a regular basis.

Sample Listing of Common Reproduction Markings

 dtd 44

 Otto Sindel Berlin 1941

 dtv 44

 Otto D. Muller, Eislebe, 1942

 gfg 42

 OTTO MULLER EISLEBE 1942

 G. SINGER, KLATTAU 1941

 R. Ehardt, Poessnick, 1941

 GEBRUDER KLINGE DRESDEN 1938

 RB Nr 0/0390/0204

 HRUBY & Co HAGHENBURG 1941

 RZM 5/40 with SS runes in circle

 J.DE VALK ADAM 1942

 SOLLMANN, TUTTLINGEN 1940

 Lohmannwerke Bielefeld 1940

 St. Orthey Marienberg/Ww 1941

 Luttringhaus & Co., Koln 1940

 WALLISCH & Co 1942 WIEN

 LUDWIG KELLER, STOCKACH 1942

 Wallisch & Co. Vien, 1942

 LOHMANNWERKE A.G. 1941 BIELEFELD

 Voegels Koln 1940