Metal SS Skull Good ?

[Mauser]

Hi guys

Is this skull good or fake?

Many thanks

Kindest Regards

Mark

[Mauser]

rear

rear

[darryl-P]

Mark,

Here is another early skull I have. However, I am not expert enough to tell if it's a good one either. There are some similarities but also some differences.

[Mauser]

Hi Darryl

It looks very alike i must say, any other opponions from you SS buffs on this piece ?

Many thanks

Kindest Regards

Mark

[Mauser]

Any one eles have any comments ?

[junior]

We shall see what the others have to say...

Any one eles have any comments ?

[junior]

Where are the "others"???

[Gary Wood]

"Where are the "others"???"



Hey Junior do you think that posting that 1 minute after your previous post is going to help?????? so what is your opinion?

cheers,

Gary

[Robin Lumsden]

For what it's worth, I think the first one is a copy from the '70s/'80s.

The second one's a variant I haven't seen before, but I'm not too keen on that either.

It's always difficult with these 1st pattern skulls, because:

* there were so many original variants, produced from the middle of the 19th century right up until 1945

* originals were unmarked - so are most copies

* many originals were in brass - so are most copies

You often have to rely on general detailing and 'wear' - not always easy from photos.

Some fakes, like the aluminium ones with round pins, are easy to detect. Others are not.

[Bob Hritz]

There are many variations, both original and fake of the 1st pattern skull. I think both posted are original. Most of the fakes I have seen have a finish unlike anything I have seen on originals. Originals are made of nickle, copper, and brass. The copper and brass skulls, that I believe are original, were originally silver plated and will either exhibit toning or loss of finish, if well used. The first example posted looks to be silver plated, something not ususlly seen on fakes. The second one may be a nickle type. They tend to tone a deeper color with a slightly yellow tint.

Of course the nickle or chrome PLATED types are most often fakes and the aluminum types, with round aluminum pins are also fakes. On the plated fakes, they don't tone with age so many crooks try to distress them and they look artifically aged.

Bob Hritz