It looks like mass-produced Dunhill fakes are a reality

[georged]

For years, there was little to worry about when it came to faking name brand pipes, because anyone with the technical chops to make a convincing fake could do better producing pipes under his own name. It looks like the sweat shop model/low labor costs in Asia are starting to undermine that barrier, though.
Here's the first example I've seen of what looks to be a mass-produced Dunhill fake that while it screams all kinds of wrong to a collector, is well enough made to fool a casual buyer:

 

[pitchfork]

Wow. How did you come across it?

 

[texmexpipe]

This scares me as I'm the guy who will probably never be able to justify the cost of a Dunhill, but would jump on something that I thought was a deal.

 

[georged]

Wow. How did you come across it?

A friend e'd me the pics. He saw it for sale at a B&M (!) in the US. The shop owner says he acquired it in an estate sale.

 

[pitchfork]

A friend e'd me the pics. He saw it for sale at a B&M (!) in the US. The shop owner says he acquired it in an estate sale.

Yikes!

 

[clickklick]

Wow, that thing screams fake!

 

[Chasing Embers]

Has to be a fake. Looks too good to be the genuine article.

 

[danielplainview]

Get a free Gucci bag with purchase of your Fauxhill at the swap meet.

 

[iamn8]

So long as the fakes look like that we'll be fine. Lucky for me, these days I'm only buying from the pros, but eventually that may not be safe either. The great fakes will never be seen as fakes. I see RF chips in our future for new pipes. The validity of old pipes is up for grabs.

 

[ssavarimuthu]

Never owned a Dunhill. What are the tell-tale signs of a real one versus a fake one?

 

[xrundog]

Stamps are all wrong for the period on that one.

 

[pappymac]

Never owned a Dunhill. What are the tell-tale signs of a real one versus a fake one?

That's the problem I have. I wouldn't be able to tell a real Dunhill from a fake because I just don't remember all the Dunhill markings.

 

[iamn8]

The type is all kindsa wrong, the font, the letter spacing and the logos wrong.

 

[georged]

The counterfeiters aren't stupid, though.
What do you tell a non-pipe-smoking friend or family member who occasionally hits antique shops or estate sales?



"Keep your eye out for pipes stamped 'Dunhill'---you know, the ones with a white dot on the stem---and ESPECIALLY if there's also a patent number stamped on it."
It's all they need to know (as well as all they're likely to remember), right? :lol:

 

[Chasing Embers]

There's an idea for a sticky. All of those with lots of experience should post detailed descriptions, pics, and anything else to tell the genuine from the counterfeit.

 

[georged]

There's an idea for a sticky. All of those with lots of experience should post detailed descriptions, pics, and anything else to tell the genuine from the counterfeit.

Much simpler for all concerned would be for anyone who is suspicious of a pipe just to post a few pics of it. There are always a few experiencel Dunnie collectors around.

 

[peckinpahhombre]

This is great news. I love a good fake.

 

[mso489]

At least the Dunhill stamp doesn't flash on and off in neon. Even I might catch that one, and I'm not a Dunhill guy.