Imperial Russia Imperial Law Academy Badge on Ebay

[Ramblinfarms]

Gentlemen:

I wasn't planning on bidding, but for learning purposes, what do you think of this one?

http://cgi.ebay.com/RUSSIAN-IMPERIAL-LAW-A...1QQcmdZViewItem

Thanks for looking.

Chris

[GeorgeCL]

Hi

I dont like the shape of the Imperial crown and details of eagle

Silver marks on badge dont match screw back

the badge silver mark is one that is used on current fakes..

I have pictured such a mark on the FAKES posting

Overall details are poor..

George

[GeorgeCL]

Also after looking at some pof the sellers offerings I would stay away.

Sorry

George

[Ramblinfarms]

Thanks George. I'll add it to my fakes gallery.

[Stogieman]

Kind of funny how this badge appears to bear some silver hallmarks!!

[GeorgeCL]

Hi Rick,

Yes the fakers are getting better..

Last couple years they even have been selling Russian silver stamps on ebay..

I posted a FAKE doctors badge in the fakes thread..silver marked and tested as silver..

George

[Ramblinfarms]

Andolenko says that up to 1880, this badge was in a dark bronze with a reddish cast. silver thereafter. It would seem that either the scanner is off, or this repro is trying to have it both ways.

[GeorgeCL]

Looks that way..

Really a terrible badge..

George

[Ramblinfarms]

It really is a shame that this hobby is as bad as collecting SS, or EKs. I guess it is to be expected when there is very limited supply, coupled with high prices and a lack of general knowledge in the collecting community on what constitutes a "good" badge.

Thanks to you, Chuck and the other members, my knowledge has increased exponentially to the "know enough to be dangerous" level. I lack the years of experience handling good original pieces as you have been able to do.

Things will get better as we all learn and communicate, and good reference books become available.

[REGAL UNIFORMA COLECTOR]

It really is a shame that this hobby is as bad as collecting SS, or EKs. I guess it is to be expected when there is very limited supply, coupled with high prices and a lack of general knowledge in the collecting community on what constitutes a "good" badge.

Thanks to you, Chuck and the other members, my knowledge has increased exponentially to the "know enough to be dangerous" level. I lack the years of experience handling good original pieces as you have been able to do.

Things will get better as we all learn and communicate, and good reference books become available.

There is one Ebay dealer here in the USA and one dealer in the UK who consign from the same source in Russia fakes, reproductions, and married pieces and sell them on Ebay as originals. It is interesting that when they are challenged, they come up with either a no return policy as the items are being consigned from Russia and the consignor is to remain Anonymous or the item has a life time guarantee of authenticity, however, it is you who has to prove otherwise by some testimonial letter from some expert from a Russian Museum in Russia.

DON'T THESE STATEMENTS MADE BY THE SELLER RAISE SOME RED FLAGS AS TO WHO YOU ARE DEALING WITH ???

[Ramblinfarms]

Yes they certainly do!!!!!!

Would you mind sharing with us the names of these illustrious dealers? If you would prefer not to post publically, feel free to PM me.

Thanks

Chris Werner