Just A Suggestion

[rocky321]

How about a link on this site that shows only photos of genuine M1 parts? This way those of us that have not developed the keen eye between real and repo have something to compare to??!!

Information

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[Badger]

Well, if someone with the knowledge wants to create the content, similar to what Rick B did with his Inspection Stamp Quiz thread in the M1 Garand/M14/M1A Rifles, we'd be happy to host the pics and "sticky" the thread at the top of the forum, or even better, create a formal Technical Knowledge Library article.

Regards,
Doug

[davfink]

It might sound like a good idea, but it cause some problems in allowing the repro manufacturers to have a database as well, and possibly make it easier for them.

I do agree that it is difficult to tell real from fake on parts, and not having a database makes it frustrating and difficult for newer collectors.

I would recommend creating your own personal database of both real and fake parts labeled as such. This is how i have learned, as well as getting burned a few times. Also learning who and where to buy/not buy parts from will help.

You can pull pictures from here, and ebay, and other carbine forums to start. It is almost easier to learn what a fake part looks like, than learning what a real one looks like.

[rocky321]

It might sound like a good idea, but it cause some problems in allowing the repro manufacturers to have a database as well, and possibly make it easier for them.

I do agree that it is difficult to tell real from fake on parts, and not having a database makes it frustrating and difficult for newer collectors.

I would recommend creating your own personal database of both real and fake parts labeled as such. This is how i have learned, as well as getting burned a few times. Also learning who and where to buy/not buy parts from will help.

You can pull pictures from here, and ebay, and other carbine forums to start. It is almost easier to learn what a fake part looks like, than learning what a real one looks like.

I believe they already have their own data base and can just as easily research it as we would. Only they have even a bigger motivation than collectors.....$$$$$$. I think a "Technical Knowledge Library" would actually discourage them from trying to sell parts as authentic. We need to educate the M1 consumers. This will only give us more ammunition (pun intended) against the REPO MAN!

[Bill Hollinger]

Dave, I think that take would have been a good one 10 years ago but there is so much information out there now of what is right and what is wrong that I really doubt it makes much difference. There are some fellows here on this site that will toss tid-bits out without ever really telling the whole story simply because of that philosophy.

I say post away guys!!! Lets get a data base started that tells the whole story.

[JOHN42768]

I believe at this point in time (65 odd years)that all the "fake" part dealers know exactly what USGI parts look like. Between all the books,manuals,forums and Carbine Club newsletters (obtained under pen names) the info is out there. I know that here and other forums that people with expertise are willing to help out on questions. Perhaps a more effective suggested path to follow would be a continuous posting of photos for any and all known or suspected humped parts with info on whom it was purchased from. Granted people make honest mistakes, but a listing showing dealers names continually showing up on the list would make any new collector aware of the dealers honesty or lack of it. If a dealer was only listed once, it is probably a honest mistake. It would also allow collectors to recognize bogus parts from the photos. Any sale listing an item with tiny photos or blurred images should be a wake up call to the purchaser. Locking the door only keeps honest people out, but shining lots of light on the area makes the crooks look for cover. My two cents for what it is worth. Have fun collecting history. John

[Harlan (Deceased)]

Just don't buy anything from Modesto, CA
Just barely joking, (if I am at all)

Honestly,
I'd say it's logistically impossible, even if anyone/everyone ever actually wanted to do it. There would need to be detailed macro photos of bare parts from every angle and every manufacturer of every type, and then you'd have to have a consensus of was really was a correct part. Think about it. Alost every authentic rare (now faked) part is installed in someone's carbine.

'IF' it could actually be done, and a consensus of true experts agreed, and a part was measured, etc, etc, and then a permanent database established here with this info, the fake parts would get better. It would make it even harder to find a real parts.

Common sense, and experience is the best tool when learning what is real or not, Rocky.

The rarest parts became so freaking expensive because the are rare. They aren't available by the bulk on eBay or Gunbroker.

Authentic type I push safeties floating around are rare as hen's teeth. Type I safeties with original 'EW' markings almost non-existent.

Almost all of these rare parts were removed and discarded 60 years ago. They were junk. Metal recycled at best. They weren't saved in baskets by some speculator betting they'd be worth a fortune 60 years later when these guns became collector items and every kid on the block wants a type 1 safety and a type 1 barrel band like they saw on Saving Private Ryan.

Most authentic carbines were rebuilt. The few carbines that did escape rebuilds still have the parts inside them.

Authentic loose parts do not have a good finish, or any finish at all. They're beat up and worn with a real 60 year old patina, not polished with a scotchbright pad to show a little wear or bare metal on the edges.

An authentic rare part is found in the back of an old box of old junk box under a table of an old one owner gun shop who's owner passed away 15 years ago. One part.

Authentic push safeties are just like authentic WWII German helmets have become, and sold almost exclusively between collectors and seldom if ever found on eBay.
German helmets cost so much because they are rare - That makes them 'cool' so everyone wants them. The market for fake German helmets was supplied by everyone wanting something rare. There are only so many to go around.
I collected USGI helmets and the same thing has happened to them now. Every piece is reproduced now, and it takes an expert eye to tell what's real or not, but common sense is the best tool, (and they're seldom found on eBay)

A fluke does happen once in a great while, but what are your odds? I don't see why anyone would spend $100+ for a part they know is probably going to turn out to be fake. Maybe they try to fool themselves, or think nobody will notice?
Then they find the part is fake after they pay someone over the internet and become upset?

I honestly don't know the answer. I know it ruined helmet collecting.
I honestly don't know why all these type i parts are needed in the first place though.
I know one guy is CA has become wealthy though.

JMO

[rocky321]

Just don't buy anything from Modesto, CA
Just barely joking, (if I am at all)

Honestly,
I'd say it's logistically impossible, even if anyone/everyone ever actually wanted to do it. There would need to be detailed macro photos of bare parts from every angle and every manufacturer of every type, and then you'd have to have a consensus of was really was a correct part. Think about it. Alost every authentic rare (now faked) part is installed in someone's carbine.

'IF' it could actually be done, and a consensus of true experts agreed, and a part was measured, etc, etc, and then a permanent database established here with this info, the fake parts would get better. It would make it even harder to find a real parts.

Common sense, and experience is the best tool when learning what is real or not, Rocky.

The rarest parts became so freaking expensive because the are rare. They aren't available by the bulk on eBay or Gunbroker.

Authentic type I push safeties floating around are rare as hen's teeth. Type I safeties with original 'EW' markings almost non-existent.

Almost all of these rare parts were removed and discarded 60 years ago. They were junk. Metal recycled at best. They weren't saved in baskets by some speculator betting they'd be worth a fortune 60 years later when these guns became collector items and every kid on the block wants a type 1 safety and a type 1 barrel band like they saw on Saving Private Ryan.

Most authentic carbines were rebuilt. The few carbines that did escape rebuilds still have the parts inside them.

Authentic loose parts do not have a good finish, or any finish at all. They're beat up and worn with a real 60 year old patina, not polished with a scotchbright pad to show a little wear or bare metal on the edges.

An authentic rare part is found in the back of an old box of old junk box under a table of an old one owner gun shop who's owner passed away 15 years ago. One part.

Authentic push safeties are just like authentic WWII German helmets have become, and sold almost exclusively between collectors and seldom if ever found on eBay.
German helmets cost so much because they are rare - That makes them 'cool' so everyone wants them. The market for fake German helmets was supplied by everyone wanting something rare. There are only so many to go around.
I collected USGI helmets and the same thing has happened to them now. Every piece is reproduced now, and it takes an expert eye to tell what's real or not, but common sense is the best tool, (and they're seldom found on eBay)

A fluke does happen once in a great while, but what are your odds? I don't see why anyone would spend $100+ for a part they know is probably going to turn out to be fake. Maybe they try to fool themselves, or think nobody will notice?
Then they find the part is fake after they pay someone over the internet and become upset?

I honestly don't know the answer. I know it ruined helmet collecting.
I honestly don't know why all these type i parts are needed in the first place though.
I know one guy is CA has become wealthy though.

JMO

This is why nothing gets done in Government. All talk, no action! It does not have to be done over night. Crawl before walking. Oh well I tried. The red tape is to thick to cut!