Purpose of this Forum

[Bill Ricca]

There will be several sticky posts helping you in your attempt to evaluate the authenticity of an item.

Keep in mind that the older items are harder to fake correctly.

Items being made in the last 10-15 years are still available in the surplus chain. They also can find their way into the commercial market by the producers making a batch for sellers, sometimes at the same time, sometimes years later.

Do not use the current made items to judge what was made years ago. Government contracts and unit purchasing requirements have changed drastically, in the lower level of quality. As posts are made here I will show you that units have purchased several imported Taiwan reproduction items because the older high quality items were released or destroyed years ago and are no longer in the system. That gives the sellers the mind set to advertise the items as "US GI", not off the shelf commercial imports. In other posts, I will give you several examples.

[Craftsman]

Thanks Bill. Looking forward to learning from you!

[gap]

Bill, thanks in advance for an invaluable service to collectors.

[gunny]

Originally Posted by Bill Ricca

There will be several sticky posts helping you in your attempt to evaluate the authenticity of an item.

Keep in mind that the older items are harder to fake correctly.

Items being made in the last 10-15 years are still available in the surplus chain. They also can find their way into the commercial market by the producers making a batch for sellers, sometimes at the same time, sometimes years later.

Do not use the current made items to judge what was made years ago. Government contracts and unit purchasing requirements have changed drastically, in the lower level of quality. As posts are made here I will show you that units have purchased several imported Taiwan reproduction items because the older high quality items were released or destroyed years ago and are no longer in the system. That gives the sellers the mind set to advertise the items as "US GI", not off the shelf commercial imports. In other posts, I will give you several examples.

+1...

Gunny

[joe wilson]

Great idea. Thanks.

[JKL]

This will become a fantastic tool for present and future collectors...Thanks....JKL

[captain-03]

Do not buy many "original" parts; however, I do love to read about them and learn the procurement and manufacturing history associated with military items.

[WIN 342]

This is a good deal, Thanks

[RuggedTerrain40]

Uh oh, getting ready to shine the spotlight on all that chinese repro stuff being sold as "USGI." Oh man...

Good idea. I like knowing there is a place to go to find out whether something I am considering buying is real USGI or not.

Ive wondered if it would be considered consumer fraud to advertise something as "real USGI" but it is really chinese repro.

Eric

[J.R.2009]

Long over due, thanks, Bill.