Quote Originally Posted by INLAND44 View Post
Folks, I think 'the files are already corrupted' in the collectible gun business. I think it can only work against values if collectors themselves lose confidence in being able to authenticate guns on the spot in order to make a good buy.
This may be the answer. But if humpers can fool a Larry Ruth after close examination (which I don't believe they can) then how can any collector feel confident in authenticating a carbine 'on the spot'. BTW, I didn't say it but I would expect the actual carbine would be delivered to the appraiser for first hand inspection and high quality photographs taken to document what is being authenticated. I don't know but it seems the alternative is to do nothing, raising the price of the fakes and limiting the value of the treasures. Maybe there is no good answer to this but the purpose of my thread was to kick around some observations, opinions and alternative suggestions.

Also BTW, Charlie, I tried to correct the thread title but by the time old eyes noticed the blurry error the edit option was gone. My spelling and my eyesight don't seem to be improving with time anymore, dang it. ChipS