Maida's Belts and Buckles • 5727- K Westheimer • Houston, Texas • 800-785-6036 • email: maidas@maidasbelts.com

Rob Schaezlein of R. Schaezlein and Sons, San Francisco buckle makers

In the late 1870’s Robert Schaezlein (Bob’s grandfather) came to San Francisco, from Germany via Providence, R.I. As far as we know, he manufactured society badges, made some flatware, did some gold and silver plating, and other silversmithing. In 1888 he joined with Benjamin Burridge to form Schaezlein and Burridge and they continued with the plating, society badges, etc., until the early 1900’s. At sometime around the 1906 San Francisco Earthquake and Fire, Burridge was no longer in the business with him and Robert was joined by his son, Robert F. Schaezlein (Bob’s Dad). The business became R. Schaezlein & Son. After the earthquake and fire, they rescued what equipment that they could (much of the records, dies, and things that they were making were lost, therefore our information is sketchy for those first couple of years). They moved the shop from downtown to the small building in the backyard of their home on Clay St. They continued to manufacture there, and addition, Robert F. (having been trained also as a jeweler) crafted jewelry set with precious and semi-precious stones for some of the notable people of  San Francisco. In the subsequent years due to his age, Robert became less involved with the business and was not a part of it as it evolved into the western silver business it became.

In the early 20’s Robert F. started doing silver work (mostly saddle, harness, and bridle) for the Visalia Stock Saddle Co. and continued for many years. He also was involved in making the monel handforged Humane Visalia Bit. In the late 20’s he started making several Levi Strauss award buckles including the annually awarded World Champion All Around Cowboy buckles and the Six Time Winner Trophy Buckle. He also made some award buckles for the Grand National Rodeo, Horse, and Livestock Show at the San Francisco Cow Palace. He manufactured custom silver belt buckles and a variety of western silver saddle and harness trimmings for western saddle makers and various western stores including Olsen Nolte Saddle Shop, Bona Allen, Hamleys (Pendleton, Ore.), Keyston Brothers, and Ray Noles Saddle Shop.

Although he did some work during his school years, Robert F. Schaezlein, Jr. (Bob-present owner) didn’t join his Dad in the business until after the war in 1946. Bob took engraving classes from an old German master engraver which enabled him to do lettering and then over the years much of the ornamental engraving. In 1963, about three years after the death of Robert F., Sr., the shop was moved to its present location. Bob continues to run the business and was joined by his son, Robert F. Schaezlein, III (Rob) in 1986. They are still manufacturing a variety of western silver items of which many are custom made. They continue to use the old embossing screw press that survived the 1906 earthquake and some of the same old embossing dies ( that have been used for the last 70 years) to make some of the three piece buckle sets and bridle trimmings.

Schazlein Buckles