I'm not certain about the reference to pin and buckle clips either, but I think one is probably similar to our British clips.

These are the type we normally use in the U.K. for standard "T&E" (NM-type) cable:

[Linked Image]

There used to be another type of clip here which consisted of a thin metal strip with a nail hole in the middle. You nailed the clip into place first, then laid the cable in the middle of it and folded the ends over and through the "loop." The overall effect did look something like a buckle when completed -- Is that your buckle clip Mike?