I've got two examples of the best "Replica" chests from the last 15 years in my collection - I skipped on the dire / cheap ones - to a novice, sure they could be taken as real and original.. I also know the few "sizzle doctors" who faux age materials and have "legal" run through the description so the suggestion of original is still in the buyers mind.
In either case- the features of these replicas fall short - the count of these errant / changed features counted on two hands, such as: Excessively knotted carcass wood, one piece monolith sides - not 2 piece T&G composite as per war years - alternative wood and grain in ends and partitions. Metal hardware differences - the felt used is difficult to get and keep consistent - its simply isn't "right" - the scout scope lining being the most stark - the repro producers tend to make them "too perfect" - the buyers being exacting detail / quality drivers for the money. External damage - from stores and transport and handling - staples and u clips for wiring together in shipments / on pallets. Stores label nails and nail holes - stencils in all their forms and overpainting in that black "troll snot" - I don't think even the sizzle doctors would manage to fake all of that..
Caveat Emptor
H