Offered here for your consideration are two vintage belt buckles (one from Patania's Thunderbird Shop). The first buckle features a smooth silver petal style design with rows of flattened twisted wire between the petals and stamped swirl designs. The second buckle features great hand stamped and darkened designs, adding character and contrast to this piece. Add these pieces to your collection now and wear them on your favorite belt.
MAKER: The first buckle is hallmarked with the Thunderbird mark (stamped). Thunderbird Shop (Shop). Frank Patania (1899-1964) opened the Thunderbird Curios in Santa Fe in 1927. The name was later changed to The Thunderbird Shop, and in 1937 a second location was opened. The store closed in 1964 with Patania's death, but reopened in 1968 by his son, Frank Patania, Jr. The second buckle is hallmarked SOULAGES MFG. CO. RENO, NEVADA (stamped). "Harry Soulages was born in San Francisco in 1893 developing an affinity for cowboy culture at an early age. He moved to Southern California where he became shop manager for Edward H. Bohlin in the 1930s, leaving later that same decade to join Major Monte Stone at the fledgling Hollywood Saddlery located at 6309 Sunset Blvd. Harry became manager of The Westerner from 1941-1946 and eventually started the Soulages Mfg Co at that same “Westerner” address specializing in western belt buckles. In the early 1950s, he sold Soulages Mfg Co to Bob White who changed the name back to The Westerner. Soulages relocated to Reno, NV in the 1950s and continued to operate his buckle and western jewelry business there well into the 1960s. Harry eventually retired back to Northern California passing away in San Mateo in 1968." From High Noon.com.
APPROX AGE: Vintage (meaning somewhere between the 1930s to 1970s).
SIZE: The first buckle measures approximately 2 1/8 inches across at the widest point by 2 inches from top to bottom, and fits a 3/4 inch belt. The second buckle measures approximately 1 7/8 inches across at the widest point by 1 5/8 inches from top to bottom, and fits a 3/4 inch belt. The total weight for these items is 45.0 grams.
CONDITION: Good for their age, normal wear expected. Please look closely at the pictures as they are an important part of our description and are hereby incorporated into the description, specifically with regards to condition.
HANDLING: There will be a $5 handling / packaging fee for shipping this lot.
SHIPPING: The actual cost of postage will be added on top of the handling charges.