Finding a fake

Edward Tinker · 09-15-2015, 10:23 AM

Experience and even then the experts sometimes get taken.

Realize several things - most fake 'wear' does not look right
most freshened up guns look freshened up
actual patina is almost impossible to fake

buying from known parties is best - however, are we talking $1000 guns or $15,000 guns? The less expensive guns are unlikely to be faked, why, because they already cost $800-$1500 to buy, what profit margin is there in doing so?

When a new stamp (and most on ebay look fine to poor) - the stamp is applied over the blue, which is not how it would have been done. So, it has to be reblued, rebluing process involves what?

So, to fake something is possible and there are several folks who do it as a living, but most of the time you can tell.

My bigest concern is the vast majority of folks who want a 98-99% gun. They exist, but come on folks, no wear on a 80-100 year old gun? Yes, I have seen very nice ones, but like I said, too many folks want a pristine gun and they get all excited over 'pretty gun'. Heck of a lot of VERY nice Test Lugers out there IMHO

Ed

09-15-2015, 10:23 AM	#4
Edward Tinker Super Moderator Eternal Lifer LugerForum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: North of Spokane, WA Posts: 15,974 Thanks: 2,072 Thanked 4,609 Times in 2,123 Posts	Experience and even then the experts sometimes get taken. Realize several things - most fake 'wear' does not look right most freshened up guns look freshened up actual patina is almost impossible to fake buying from known parties is best - however, are we talking $1000 guns or $15,000 guns? The less expensive guns are unlikely to be faked, why, because they already cost $800-$1500 to buy, what profit margin is there in doing so? When a new stamp (and most on ebay look fine to poor) - the stamp is applied over the blue, which is not how it would have been done. So, it has to be reblued, rebluing process involves what? So, to fake something is possible and there are several folks who do it as a living, but most of the time you can tell. My bigest concern is the vast majority of folks who want a 98-99% gun. They exist, but come on folks, no wear on a 80-100 year old gun? Yes, I have seen very nice ones, but like I said, too many folks want a pristine gun and they get all excited over 'pretty gun'. Heck of a lot of VERY nice Test Lugers out there IMHO Ed __________________ Edward Tinker ************ Co-Author of Police Lugers - Co-Author of Simson Lugers Author of Veteran Bring Backs Vol I, Vol II, Vol III and Vol IV