Fake Signed Flags Gallery update

[Paul G]

Hello everyone, last night I added quite a few new images of fake signed flags to the Fake Signed Flags Gallery. All done by one Ebay seller from Japan. He used to sell blank flags, then he realized that he could make more money selling signed flags. He always listed them as flags with a vintage of 20-50 years old. They all sold quickly for a low price, if all original. The problem is, that nobody bothered to read the details, and most people wanted a quick, cheap, deal, not realizing or not caring that a flag 20-50 years old could not be a wartime signed flag. Others thought they were buying wartime signed flags, and have found out otherwise. I have seen these now being resold as originals, so beware. As a side note, this ebay seller no longer "makes" these flags for sale, and is back to selling plain, unsigned flags that are 20-50 years old. here is an example of one flag that's been altered from a plain flag to a signed flag. Check out the thread, there is about 30 flags posted, of about 50+ that were done.

http://dev.wehrmacht-awards.com/foru...d.php?t=790688

PG-

[Staldion]

Just checked the thread, ... He is flooding the market with fakes. Even an Hinomaru Yosegaki have to be checked like a german helmet. Sad new for the hobby ! Thank for letting us know.

Cheers,
Mat.

[Ryukyutunnelrat]

They all seem to be on period flags. I fell for a really good one that is posted already (post #27 first flag) and was given a thumbs up by many collectors as the kanji was very good. It was a good lesson learned for me

[Jareth]

I'll never, ever buy a flag from Japan!

[Ryukyutunnelrat]

I'll never, ever buy a flag from Japan!

Agree....lesson learned

[imperialjapan]

I have stopped buying flags here in Japan. It is crazy how most of them look to be fake. Even though some reach high prices on Japanese auctions, I suspect the bidders are either non-Japanese or the people who place bids for others--or even the native Japanese who hope to dupe the ignorant.

I see that many of these fakes wind up on ebay, but I am quite sure that most native Japanese are not fooled by these. If Japanese sell them, they are in on the scam, IMO.

Too bad. One of the really cool and unique (?) pieces of Japanese militaria has been flooded by fakes.