Fake WaA stamps

[boltaction]

So, this showed up on Evilbay under "Mauser" today........I assume that one can order whichever inspector stamp one wants, so now stocks, bolts, floorplates, etc can be appropriately made to "match". Stuff like this is just criminal, as far as I'm concerned. It goes way beyond the line of "restoration" and is just plain forgery/fakery. It is a stamp with but one purpose--to make something which is not correct look correct.......

http://www.ebay.ca/itm/Waffenamt-WaA...-/200985045871


Ed

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[Patrick Chadwick]

Thank you for that contribution. I have mentioned this topic on a couple of occasions, and am pleased to have some support.

I would like to know where US or Canadian law draws the boundary. It is apparently acceptable to make copies of stamps used by a defunct authority in another country* - but how about stamps for SAA, RIA, flaming bomb etc? And I presume that if someone were to make a copy of the presidential seal there is no doubt that the law would come down heavily on the offender - which presupposes that this act is defined as an offence. Is there no ruling that defines as an offence the making and offering for sale of a tool that can only be used to create a forgery?

*BTW. I have never seen such stamps for sale in Germany.

[CODFan]

*BTW. I have never seen such stamps for sale in Germany.

I believe Nazi era symbols are prohibited by law in Germany and several other countries.

[WarPig1976]

Thank you for that contribution. I have mentioned this topic on a couple of occasions, and am pleased to have some support.

I would like to know where US or Canadian law draws the boundary. It is apparently acceptable to make copies of stamps used by a defunct authority in another country* - but how about stamps for SAA, RIA, flaming bomb etc? And I presume that if someone were to make a copy of the presidential seal there is no doubt that the law would come down heavily on the offender - which presupposes that this act is defined as an offence. Is there no ruling that defines as an offence the making and offering for sale of a tool that can only be used to create a forgery?

*BTW. I have never seen such stamps for sale in Germany.

There are Trademark and copy right protections for Private company's and individual's no such thing for Governmental agencies. Anything the U.S government uses or "owns" IS the Peoples. I can copy the Presidential seal, say I AM the President, slap a Presidential seal on my truck, and demand to called Mr. President and there isn't anything anyone can do about it because it's mine and the President works for me. I'll leave it here to avoid the forbidden subject. One thing that does come to mind that is against the law is to say I'm a police officer, that's illegal for obvious reasons.

The rights to SAA, RIA names were bought and are now private company's so no I can't make a new rifle and say its a RIA. I'm not sure of the status of the flaming bomb but if it's not Trade marked, yes, I can buy a stamp and stamp everything I own with it and no there is no law that says I can't.

[kar98k]

this is stupidity that these are even made. they just ruin vintage military items. fortunately if you know what you're looking for the fake stuff can be avoided easily.

[villiers]

Several well known dealers here in Germany sell WaA, unit and other stamps and they are often to be found on the main German website eGun. I can´t imagine that making or selling the stamps is illegal here, or even applying the stamps. What quite clearly is illegal is selling the stamped product as bona fide. It would also be perfectly legal if sold as a "copy" or a "re-production". It is up to the "collector" either to ensure that an item is genuine or to accept that he owns a "re-production". If a dealer or collector´s primary interest is profit, it is only to be expected that it should be up to his superior knowledge to ensure the authenticity of his goods. If a collector thinks he can make a "quick profit" on a dodgy item, he should not expect to be protected by the law. Newly manufactured Luger snail drums have been on the market for a couple of years and I have not yet seen conclusive evidence to prove that they are any different from the genuine article, as differences are also to be found on those manufactured earlier.

[Patrick Chadwick]

they are often to be found on the main German website eGun.

Thanks Patrick, I shall have to look more closely!

[Promo]

Since the WaA marking usually does not bear the swastika, it's probably not forbidden in Germany.

I once bought a whole box of old gunsmith stamps, but only numbers (would have needed them anyway, for the self-built stuff - and most of them is DDR font). The same seller also offered the Swedish Mauser serial stamps, which of course sold for a premium.

[villiers]

Nazi emblems used as part of industrial etc. markings are not prohibited in Germany. Or practically every ex WWII weapon, legally owned here would have to be re-stamped.
Just a reminder: Hows to DIY a Krieghoff P08 (Luger) showing a number of Krieghoff luger toggle links (very likely ex-East German production) on eGun, enabling any P08 (Luger) to be turned into an expensive "Krieghoff" within minutes.

[Jim]

Another associated problem is that I once saw many original stamps being sold. Otherwise it's as Villiers said. If authenticity is your aim in purchasing a weapon or other historical object, making sure you know whats right and what isn't is your responsibility.

We crow when finding a bargain because somebody didn't correctly identify or price and item. Well, this is the flip side. Caveat emptor.