Quote Originally Posted by ChipS View Post
Fair enough. But how many years have you been looking at real flip sights and mag catches?
I haven't been collecting for 3 yrs yet. I'm not great at mag catches. I've just handled a bunch of flips and helpful people on these sites have been, well, very helpful.

You hand a Sam-T-Bob to someone that has not studied the real thing, show them copy of Ruth or Riesch pointing out all of the desirable characteristics and the Sam-T-Bob will look pretty darned good. That's why he has apparently been as successful as he has. I don't disagree that there are many reproductions parts slipped in but they are generally the better quality repro parts and sometimes so good even the experienced eye has to look twice, while the inexperienced eye would never notice. I won't tell him where he needs improvement, but I'll bet he already knows. It's just business. JMHO
PT Barnum had a saying about people, I believe. It honestly hurts my eye to look at those carbines. He knows they look terrible to some people. He spends the profit on truly collectible carbines and car restorations I guess.