Abstract: A buckle assembly in which a base having upstanding sidewalls defines a passageway for receiving a tongue having a recess formed therein. A latch pivotally supported by the base sidewalls above the passageway has a catch portion adapted to extend downward into the tongue recess to prevent withdrawal of the tongue from a passageway and a clamping surface adapted to bear against the upper surface of the tongue upon attempted withdrawal of the tongue from the passageway. The latch is resiliently biased to a limit position defined by stops in which the catch portion extends into the passageway while the clamping portion remains substantially clear of the passageway and the latch handle remains recessed within the sidewalls.