M16 Liner pins from Latvia

[PlaceOfBayonets]

Take a look at the liner pins. It's said that nothing is good from Latvia but I thought the pins were AOK. Pretty hard to fake what you see. It can be done but I dunno. I bid but since they wrre from Latvia I only bid 45 bucks. I am really in need of a nice M18 rear liner pin and the pins in the auction are the longer M16 pins so I did not fight for them.

But take a look, they are good right? And from Latvia!


http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...fvi%3D1&_rdc=1

[Hoss]

William
Interesting point you bring up. I was looking at some pins once with an old boy who really new his stuff and he told me the ones I had in my hand were copies.
When they,re sharply pinched together like those at the head its a sure sign.
Sorry bud I think copies, the heads just break straight off.
I thought you were the liner pin guy?
Here,s a photo of my only original spares. Bought off good old EbayUS for $15.
Sorry the pics not very good.

Eric

[PlaceOfBayonets]

I don't know Eric, I see no difference in the pinch at the underside of the head where the prongs weld to the heads on my originals vs. the repros I have.

I am no pin expert I just judge them by the patina and paint if any left on them.
I once got a repro set that were sold as originals and me and the guys had a thread about tem and discovered they were really well done repros. I had to relate some of the details by word as it could not be seen via the camera.

Before I bid on the Latvia pins I checked my helmets because the rounded end of the prongs looked a little funny. Still do but, one of my M16's had prongs with the same rounded prongs so with that and the patina in the photos I bid but held it a bit. Like I said had they been M17/18 pins or the shorter versions you mostly but not always see with the steel band liners I'd have bid more.

Anyway here is a photo of the Latvia pins for the thread's future readers.

[PlaceOfBayonets]

Here are two photos from the auction. Your friend might be onto something. I note all my original pins have a gap at the base of the prongs. Most of my repros are pinched together with no space HOWEVER I do have a couple of repro pins with the same gap as your originals in the photo and my originals. So not sure if that asspect or observation applies 100% of the time.

Would it be helpful if I can post a repro prong with that original like gap?

Here are the Latvia pins.....

[PlaceOfBayonets]

Interestingly enough! I got a second chance offer on these pins for my low bid of 45.00 dollars.

I wonder if the new owner saw this thread?

I wonder if repro pins that look that good are worth 45 bucks.....