counterfeit stamps

[Brien]

General question,

Is it becoming difficult to trust the provenance of lugers now that it seems you just go on eBay (or wherever) and buy proofing and numbering stamps? I have collected medals and have been burned quite a few times buying fakes. How hard is it to tell if that matching mint condition all matching Krieghoff is th genuine article or a well executed counterfeit.

Obviously research is a factor, but it's hard enough sometimes to differentiate a real iron cross from a good faked one.

How about a luger Made from re-stamped parts etc.

How do you folks deal with this?

I'd hate to find that beautiful piece, drop thousands on it and later find out its a dud. Or it just luck of the draw?