Had this for a while, and just used role of it on another thread. I thought it may make a good post..........Here goes

If a faker is going to create a dagger intended to sell in the £1500.00 to £2000.00 range he (or she!) is perfectly happy to pay £500.00 for a dagger to showtime with.
Later on purchase of a subject area dagger to exist altered, a decision is fabricated as to whether the new cosmos will be marketed equally a pristine original in very fine to mint condition, or if it will be sold in good to excellent used condition. The original dagger is and so stripped downwards and the parts are simply added to bins of similar parts from other cleaved downwards daggers
The blade to be used must exist
1) used as it is,
ii) fixed up slightly,
3) refinished entirely.
To add the greatest value to the end product, the faker volition ordinarily select option 3 and refinish the entire blade. Commercial metallic finishers or people working inside the metallic finishing business organization can duplicate the original Third Reich finish on a dagger bract apace and cheaply and at the same fourth dimension remove the original carving on the blade. This is not a job to be washed at home, as whatsoever unevenness is hands detectable. A factory finish is perfect, and removes very fiddling metal from the blade. Fakers nigh ever remove the original etching from the blades of daggers they are working on considering it is and then piece of cake to replace. The process is known industrially as "photograph-engraving" or "photo resist carving'" and it is used every twenty-four hours to brand things like printed circuit boards.
A photograph resists is a liquid lacquer-type substance to which photograph sensitive fabric like ammonium bichromate has been added. It is applied to the bract of a dagger by dipping the blade in it or pouring the resist direct on the blade. The blade is then suspended or stood on finish in a night place so the excess resist can menstruation off and the remainder tin dry. When dry, the blade looks like it has been varnished.

A flick positive of the inscription to exist etched on the blade is then positioned where it belongs on the blade, and is taped in place with transparent tape. The bract is placed in a plastic bag with a vacuum hose attached. When the vacuum is turned on the film negative is sucked tightly against the blade. The side of the bract with the film on information technology is and so positioned in front of a carbon arc lamp (apparently sunlight volition as well exercise the trick) for about ane minute while light hardens the photo resist where information technology shows through clear motion-picture show. Naturally, no lite reaches the photograph resist under the blackness pad of the film, so those photograph resist spots remain soft and can be removed with a chemic developer. When the soft photo resist is removed it erases bare steel.

Afterward baking the hardened photo resist to make information technology durable the blade is washed or sprayed with a solution similar ferric chloride which removes exposed steel very quickly. To duplicate logo etching on a steel blade may require 2 or 3 minutes. To get a very deep etch as seen on the motto on some blades, or to replicate damascene piece of work may crave 5 to 10 minutes of carving depending on the temperature of the ferric chloride.

When the etch is correct the blade is removed, rinsed in clear water and and then the hardened resist is removed with lacquer thinner. If it is desired, the etched spots can exist chemically blackened prior to removal of the resist.

This type of etching is capable of reproducing extremely fine particular which has critically sharp edges and corners, even when examined under a powerful glass. A cheaper method which is capable of reproducing practiced, but not fine detail, is to silk screen a resist (like paint) on the blade leaving some areas of exposed steel. When silk screened resists and their resulting etchings are viewed under a useful glass

The least expensive method, but one often used by the fakers is to hand paint the resist on the blade leaving open up areas to be etched.

At that place is absolutely no way to tell a good etched blade fabricated in 1940 from a good etched bract made yesterday. Anyone who says he can is vastly over estimating his ability. The best experts in the field are fooled by new blades everyday. The processes can be identical to those originally used and the technicians of today are at least as practiced as those of fifty years ago. All facilities and equipment are ameliorate.

Interestingly, there are now people promoting the service of making"undetectable" repairs to edged weapons. These repairs including painting, covering with leather, the replacement of missing parts,etc., etc. Such repairs do not increase the historical value of the piece at all (if they did the Venus di Milo would have been restored years ago). All they really do is increase the value of the weapon for resale to someone who is unaware of the repairs fabricated.
The salvation of the blade fakers are those collectors who seek a rare and unique piece - a 1-of-a-kind knock-out of a bract, to exhibit for the even more gullible to wait at. The best advice I can give is to Exist VERY SUSPICIOUS OF Whatever Non-STANDARD EDGED weapon.
Reproduction German daggers starting time made their appearance immediately following Earth War 2. Enterprising Solingen manufacturers recognised the souvenir demand for their edged weapons and hastily assembled the first "parts" daggers out of state of war-fourth dimension surplus with post-war parts. All the same, the major deluge of reproductions was non witnessed until the values of accurate pieces had escalated to a high enough plateau to brand the manufacture of reproductions economical. Although the establishment of an exact date when the plateau was reached is an exercise in futility, the bulk of collectors will place this engagement during the early on sixties. During that fourth dimension frame, the values of many authentic Third Reich edged weapons had reached the disquisitional point making reproductions a very assisting venture.

The floodgates were opened and artificial pieces were soon to be manufactured in England, Spain, as well as in Germany.
Several of the original WorldWar Ii Waffenfabriken (arms factories) resorted to assembling and manufacturing spurious edged weapons equally a source of additional income.
Little has been done to turn the tide confronting the unscrupulous occupation of marketing spurious collectibles. It is doubtful that whatever hereafter international legal restraints will hamper this operation, and reproductions volition keep to be dumped into the market identify in ever increasing numbers. Thus, the only rational course of action is to identify reproductions in their true relationship to the original pieces rather than ignore and, subsequently, error them for originals. The only defence against the reproduction onslaught is to arm oneself with full cognition of reproduction manufacture, types, etc.

Then you thought you knew your fakes?

Additional data credit: Transferred from Lakesidetrader..and other Militaria sites Regards Larry

ane. New Appearance.
The vast majority of edged weapon reproductions on the market today announced to accept been manufactured inside the by few weeks (and might well have been!). Quite frankly, 30 years of age will tend to leave some telltale signs, regardless of the care and storage means utilized. When examining a slice, look at the screw heads. Are they bright, shiny, and completely costless of any dirt or corrosion?
Take a flashlight and have a close look at the inside of the scabbard throat. If all the internal parts appear to have been fabricated earlier in the calendar month, they probably were! Unfortunately, this new advent indicator will not stand up alone, as some unscrupulous individuals have discovered such devious means as burial, soaking in urine, etc., to purposely "age" reproduction pieces. Keep in listen that old appearance alone is no guarantee of actuality.

ii. Misfitting Parts.
To land that German quality control is usually superior would probably be the understatement of the year. The fact that Third Reich weapon quality command was superior is evidenced by the recent reproductions manufactured in the United States, Spain, England, China, CZ, etc... existence no match for the originals. Thus, exist wary of whatsoever misfitting parts. For example, if an SA dagger wooden grip bears large gaps between the handle and the crossguard, rest bodacious that it never would accept left the manufacturing plant. In full general, be on the sentinel for crudeness in manufacture and/or fit of component parts. Also take the time to include verbal dagger dimensions in your edged weapons reference library. Numerous reproductions accept grossly inaccurate dimensions.

three. Unusual Variations.
With the ever-increasing escalation of Tertiary Reich prices, a multitude of "i-of-a-kind" prototypes are finding their style into the market. While some of these pieces are indeed authentic prototypes, a 'not-documented' prototype should be approached with a bully bargain of circumspection. The vast majority of "paradigm" Nazi daggers existence offered for sale today are reproductions, and since the prototype pieces demand top dollar, insist upon complete documentation prior to the purchase of one.

4. Faulty Engraving.
Like the previous indicator, the premium prices sought for 3rd Reich edged weapons bearing engraved blades have opened the alluvion gates for reproduction engraved bayonets, daggers, and swords. Not only are complete blades currently being manufactured, but unscrupulous dealers and collectors are resorting to having the local jeweler engrave crossguards, scabbard fittings, etc., with fictitious (and sometimes actual) High german names and units. Communication on the engraving issue: first, study the engraving style, depth, etc., of known original pieces. More times than not, the local jeweler's version is completely 'foreign' to the characteristic German patterns utilized during the war years. Remember that ALL the SA, SS, NSKK daggers had acid etched motto's and maker marks. Only run over the motto with your finger nail and you can actually feel the difference when y'all accept an acid etched motto or an engraved motto.

5. Incorrect Proofmarks.
The size of the edged weapons factories during WWII ranged from mammoth corporations to small 'cottage-arts and crafts' shops operated in the rear of Solingen homes. Obviously, each private house did non manufacture the unabridged plethoric gamut of Third Reich. In some cases, a unmarried firm designed a detail model dagger and application for a patent was made. The blade was then stamped GES.GESCH. (Patent Pending). Prime examples of patented model designs are the TENO Officer and Enlisted daggers past Carl Eickhorn. Even the more than common models were often restricted to several selected manufacturers.

six. Wrong Accouterments.
An excellent red flag source is the accompanying accouterments to a particular sidearm. Although it is obvious that hangers, frogs, and knots are interchangeable and are oftentimes switched on authentic pieces, the reverse is commonly true with reproductions. Most 'repros' are manufactured complete to include the accompanying leather or fabric accouterments. Thus, the wary collector is provided with yet another invaluable red flag source. When examining accouterments brand a careful inspection of the inside of leather items. Does the natural leather and thread stitching exhibit the appropriate aging? If all of the known original standard bayonet frogs that you have observed were constructed of shine leather, and you are offered the 'opportunity' to purchase one constructed of pebbled leather - BEWARE! Check the condition and wear of the portepee/knot. Does it appear to be recently manufactured? One concluding word of circumspection, some unscrupulous dealers will add authentic trappings to a reproduction sidearm in order to avoid this item carmine flag. Thus, i should not attempt to permit this indicator stand alone, but utilize information technology in conjunction with the previously mentioned indicators.

7. Wrong Factory Markings.
Should you be fortunate enough to learn a factory new (unissued) piece, compare the manufacturer proper name listed on the paper-thin effect tag and/or paper aircraft bag with the RZM code engraved on the bract. Obviously, if the piece is unaltered, the manufacturer name listed on the tag and shipping bag should be the aforementioned visitor who's RZM number appears on the blade.

8. Non-existent Models.
Unscrupulous dealers accept gone as far as to promote a demand for "original" 3rd Reich blades which never even existed under the Reich! The best example of this fraudulent effort is the brass Eickhorn SS pocket/Fallschirmjaeger knife. These spurious SS knives are presently existence manufactured in England and are 100% reproductions. Interesting enough, this particular fake has been manufactured with built-in aging and appears to be original in all respects. However, as mentioned in the word of the outset indicator in a higher place, 'aging' tin can be accomplished by artificial ways. The wholesale price of these knives from the manufacture is only a few dollars each. However, since research indicates that this piece never existed and is a complete reproduction, its true value is much less than fifty-fifty the wholesale price. As a affair of fact, strictly from a collector'south standpoint, this detail is worthless and only tends to mar an authentic drove of Third Reich edged weapons.