Fake WWI EKs?

[Bill M]

You have to be careful with everything, but 3rd Reich is definitely more dangerous.

[Tony & Kaiser]

I am also very wary of Clamshell Screwbacks as I recall seeing a whole box of these at a show 10-15 years ago (both 1914 and 1939 varieties were present - they seemed to be very susceptible to rust). Mike K (edited March 21, 2001).]

Yup, yer probably thinkin':
"Whooo-Eeee is this an old thread brought back up!"

But I finally tracked down and had a good look at one of these replica clamshell backed EK1 Mike mentioned. I did not buy it, so I cannot post a pic here as the guy was selling it as original. (go figure) They look quite good, very nice quality, and they are magnetic, but that's because they are stamped from one piece of metal. And yes, the clamshell back was a little rusty and magnetic. The EK back was stamped .800. The original clamshell EK1 is standard iron core sandwiched between silver and is of incredible quality. So well done the seam between the plates is hardly discernable. No markings at all. And of course, the frame and backing plate are not magnetic and not prone to rust. Tony

[gregM]

I think we have been seeing more fake Imperial EK1's on e-bay all the
time. Alot of them are really crappy fakes but they are out there.
The Latvians are getting better all the time.
Prices on e-bay seem to be going up instead of down. EK2's are going for
$75 and up Nice EK1's are pushing the $250-$300 range.

[GerColctor]

I look for Imperial EKs on Ebay and quite often you see this seller who is from eastren Europe, that has pictures of his EK 1st that are quite blurred. It is quite apparent that thse are fakes.

We all have to be careful, because if there is a buck to be made, someone will manufacture a fake EK from WW I.