Flanders mud flaps, post WW1 use.

[Alan de Enfield]

I make it 23 on the originals Geoff, 28 on mine I think....

The 'problem' with discussing how to differentiate fakes / repros from originals is that we are telling the bad-guys to to make their fakes indistiguishable from the originals. Its a difficult balance to impart knowledge without giving away too much information.

I'll keep quiet on the wire diameter.


Mine is 22 1/2 coils on the spring. Who knows - maybe different manufacturers used slightly different springs ?

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[bigduke6]

I'll keep quiet on the wire diameter.

Probably a good idea Alan, But I'm guessing the market has been flooded now so probably not cost effective for the makers and the so called "reputable" dealers that John mentions.

I bought a Mk3 commando knife from such a dealer that was a gift for someone, Considering the dealer had been dealing in Militaria for many years, his online description was pure fantasy compared to the item that arrived it was absolutely appalling not even worth the postage stamp.

Covid has certainly helped these dealers punt out the crap that they know if it was on a table at a military fair they would have more chance of winning the Lottery than selling it.

But back to the mud flaps, there is something else that would identify a fake, but answers on a postcard please or PM me for details. An interesting thread though, just wonder about production dates and numbers, plus after WW2 did most get scrapped ?

[Alan de Enfield]

Probably a good idea Alan, But I'm guessing the market has been flooded now so probably not cost effective for the makers and the so called "reputable" dealers that John mentions.

I bought a Mk3 commando knife from such a dealer that was a gift for someone, Considering the dealer had been dealing in Militaria for many years, his online description was pure fantasy compared to the item that arrived it was absolutely appalling not even worth the postage stamp.

Covid has certainly helped these dealers punt out the crap that they know if it was on a table at a military fair they would have more chance of winning the Lottery than selling it.

But back to the mud flaps, there is something else that would identify a fake, but answers on a postcard please or PM me for details. An interesting thread though, just wonder about production dates and numbers, plus after WW2 did most get scrapped ?

I cannot find the documents I thought I had, but I'm pretty sure they were made obsolescent (not obsolete) after WW1

Obsolescent - will continue in use but will not be replaced when broken (basically in the process of becoming obsolete)
Obsolete - remove at first opportunity, no longer used.