Today I found a great older silver and turquoise buckle with what looks to be the original belt. The belt is so worn that it’s cracked and the design is almost worn off. The original belt snaps broke off and the homemade rivets are quite interesting. Looks to me like tar paper tacks and washers. the buckle itself really called to me. A friend mentioned that It appears to be a bird design. I was waffling about the age because of the swivel bar but then I looked at it again and I think it’s actually a handmade bar. I’m guessing it dates from the 50-60’s? Will you buckle loving friends please chime in? I am going to get a new belt because this one is too rotten to feel safe wearing it. I am going to have to cut it because of the way it was repaired but I will statch the old one away. I tried to weigh it but with the belt it’s not very accurate. Probably 45-55 grams. I’d love your opinions!
I love the birds. They remind me of peacocks.
Am guessing there are no hallmarks on it.
No, there aren’t any hallmarks. This new limit of five photos is just really annoying sometimes. Let me see if I can find another one that will show you more.
No hallmarks, but I see a cute koala bear on the leeft side, lol.
Hey @Islandmomma, congrats on your beautiful new buckle.
I agree with you. Handmade swivel bars are the coolest. 
I feel you’re not far off.
I also think the construction is interesting. It appears to have been crafted using overlay? @mmrogers, your thoughts? The pebble textured bottom plate is neat, as are the bezels.
Have you happened to measure it?
The old tooled leather is beautiful! 
Awesome find and please keep us informed of the new leather! Thank you for sharing. 
Definitely a handmade hinge. Overlay with stampwork. The background is textured with a single, and very simple stamp. The inner cutout looks like a stylized Peyote bird motif to me.
ETA: Aaron, the bezels look like 24 gauge sheet serrated with a triangle file.
The buckle is 2 3/4 by 1 3/4. I just ordered a belt from Etsy-Amazon was a waste of time. I’d like to know about construction too.
The makeshift rivet repair is great to see. Likely a lower income worker very proud of their buckle and found a creative way to save the piece all original. I guess it’s a matter of your intent.
Thank you for sharing your knowledge. @StevesTrail i will be saving the old leather even though I will have to cut it. I like saving the history and could have just left the old leather but it’s too cracked and dry rotted to feel comfortable wearing it. Thanks @Ravenscry for confirming some of my thoughts about the buckle. Thanks @mmrogers for adding the great technical details that are so important. And last but not least, @fernwood thanks for showing me the koala bear. I appreciate you all.
Well, I am currently in the hospital, but my dad came by today and I had sent him pictures yesterday afternoon of the buckle and the belt .While he was here he told me that back then (and I don’t know how far back he means because he’ll be 94 next month) that you could buy rivets with wide heads that looked like tar paper tacks. Maybe that’s why I couldn’t figure out what kind of washers he was using. They were probably available at your local hardware store. So today I have learned something new once again. Just thought I’d add that update to the post
Still can buy some of that. I’ve got a selection of copper rivets. Yours looks almost like a cut off aluminum roofing nail and close fitting washer. Add a hammer and a steel block and you have a great rivet. Hope you get out of that hospital asap.
@Islandmomma Hi ~ Sorry to hear that you’re in the hospital. Hope you get back home soon. The mystery/info about that rivet has been interesting.
Prayers for a speedy recovery, @Islandmomma!
Thanks all. I was released yesterday afternoon. I’m still sick and extremely unsteady and managed to fall up the steps on the way in the house. But I’m in my house and my bed and I will get better! I have my own medicine. My husband’s been a champ.
The belt went in the mail today so I have something to watch for.
The belt buckle is gorgeous. But more importantly, we hope you get well soon!
Glad you are home. Get better soon!
Prayers for your continued healing, @Islandmomma !!
I hope falling up the stairs was less painful than falling down them 
I hope you feel better soon! At least you’re back home and out of the aweful hospital. On with the healing!
I like it. It has character. Recover quickly.
Methinks this is likely a coin ingot old pawn piece from the early 1920s or 30s.
I would take this to someone knowledgeable and let them fondle it. The turq appears to be hand-filed, not wheeled.
Love it!