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VINTAGE 1950-70’s USS SIERRA AD-18 VULCAN BOBO BELT BUCKLE IN ORIGINAL BOX as pictured. This vintage US MILITARY / US NAVY SHIP belt buckle looks to have never been used nor removed from the box before I removed it for pictures!
VERY RARE to find in this condition with original box. Online research about Vulcan buckles reveals: “A "Vulcan Bobo belt buckle" is a vintage belt buckle made in Japan, popular in the 1960s and 1970s, especially among U.S. military personnel. These were often custom-made, unofficial buckles commissioned by sailors, or other military members, during shore leave in Japan to commemorate their ship or unit. They are a collectible item, often featuring specific U.S. Navy ship names or military unit designs.
Key characteristics
Manufacturer: Vulcan Bobo, a lighter manufacturer that also made these buckles.
Origin: Japan.
Era: Primarily from the 1950s to the 1970s, with many being 1960s vintage.
Customization: They were often custom, unofficial pieces created to a specific individual's or unit's request.
Common themes: Many buckles feature designs related to U.S. Navy ships, submarines, or specific military units.
Collectibility: They are considered a collectible item, particularly for those interested in military memorabilia or vintage accessories. “
Additional information in regards to the USS SIERRA AD-18 found online reveals:” USS Sierra was laid down on 31 December 1941 by the Tampa Shipbuilding Company of Tampa, Florida, launched on 23 February 1943 and commissioned on 20 March 1944. Sierra was decommissioned on 15 October 1993 and was sold for scrapping. ” USS SIERRA participated in WWI in the Pacific theatre and over the years served ships in home ports on the East and West coasts.
Sierra was the oldest active duty warship prior to her decommissioning on 15 October 1993. As such, she was entitled to fly the First Navy Jack flag denoting her as such.
An awesome piece of US NAVY history & collectibility.
