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repro mills No 5 and 36

Not my specialist subject, but somewhat concerned as the same outfit has started reproducing MD1 Switches, which are very good - Do you know if these items are marked as "Museum grade reproductions" or will they become another item to trap unwary beginners in the future.

Cheers

Switch
 
Not my specialist subject, but somewhat concerned as the same outfit has started reproducing MD1 Switches, which are very good - Do you know if these items are marked as "Museum grade reproductions" or will they become another item to trap unwary beginners in the future.

Cheers

Switch

A very good point IMHAO.
 
I like the guys from Dugup - but I wish they would stick to reproduction parts only. I don't think they would do anything intentionally misleading at all but I do think some European and International dealers will buy up their items and sell them as real in their various militaria fairs and gun shows. Those of us in the U.K. know what to look for generally speaking but it is open to huge abuse which is no good for any of us. I have shared my concerns with them and feel that if an item is reproduction it should be stamped on the back with an "R" or something but the fact that for instance a Mills base plug can have its crows foot, a year date and Mill's No.23 etc ..... Worries me.

Marcus
 
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Hi SdKfz251

I totally agree with you - I am sure the chaps from Dugup have no intention to deceive, and their well crafted items do offer people a chance to obtain replicas of nice items at a very cost effective price. All I can see in the future though, is that these items will lose their provenance, and then be passed on to unsuspecting beginners as the real thing, by people who do have the intention to mislead. Most people who collect anything have experienced the sickening feeling when they discover they have parted with hard earned cash for an item that is not legitimate - This is part of the learning process, but is very disheartening when you are just an beginner!

If you know the people from Dugup, please keep pressing them to identify their stuff accordingly - from what I have seen it is super quality, and can stand proudly as a "Museum Quality replica", marked appropriately!

Thanks

Switch
 
Also very over priced for a fake, i would think in a few years time if they are not marked repro will appear as original,
Andy
 
they have a japanese type 99 grenade repro cuttaway too . .and put authentic markings on the fuse.
would have put a linck up but dont know how yet . .still learning.
.Darrol.
 
they are good but i think they will be easy to tell from originals.
Easy for experienced collectors perhaps but not so easy for others.
I really can't understand why anyone would make or buy a reproduction Mills. You've only got to go on specialist auctions or go to a militaria fair/shop and they are just so easy to find as non sectioned items, all you have to do then is make your own with a little patience and complete the item with a fake fuze.
Dave.
 
Hi All, Jay from Dugup here.
First of all I am so surprised to read about us in the forum without any of you actually contacting us first.
Well that's not entirely fair as SdKfz251 gave me the heads up. I know most of your personally and see you quite often, yet you say nothing!

You all have a very good point with regards to making stuff as a copy etc, however the unscrupulous dealer will fill the mark in and paint over it or acid it out or over stamp etc so after a lot of thought we decided to change the item so that it can be deduced as a fake and not easily put right. If they can put it right then they would have the technology to make an item from scratch. For example the Mills grenades have no recess hole inside where there striker comes in so the inner has to have the top cut off to fit. The base plug thread only fits our own base plugs which are marked with our own mark anyway.

The Japanese fuze has a 1990's date and some non-descrim markings that could say "Chicken Fried Rice" for all I know

The Incendiary Bomb is made from aluminum and weighs about 3 times that of a magnesium one.

We are sometimes asked by serious collectors to make that impossible to find bit for their Bomb or grenade- Paul you got us to make some short levers for the US Pineapple Grenades you had, yet you did not ask us to stamp them as copies?

Now that we have found the BOCN and think it is a great site with sensible members, I will write a feature on all of our reproductions on the fake pages and announce any new comers onto the market.

Marcus asks why we do not stick to just parts- well you of all people Marcus should know how impossible it is to post any form of ordinance abroad. The items we make are realistic replicas (with subtle differences) that have never had or even been near any form of explosive plus we only ever make them as cutaways as not to ruin the original market. A lot of Countries are only allowed cutaways, I could never destroy an original that would be sacrilege. A lot of relic ones get cross sectioned as that is all they are good for really, but they once contained explosives and no matter what you clean it out with-Yes even acetone, the sniffer machine, dogs etc will detect it and the item destroyed.

You guys don't always think about how lucky you are to be allowed what we are here in the UK-No doubt the do gooders will try and change that again soon but until then let us enjoy.

Andy- If any of your contacts in China that made the fake go-locks for you, can make any of our stuff cheaper, please put them in touch with us and we can pass the saving onto the customer. Maybe you should mark the next batch you make as repro as they don't hold an edge and have a Broadband arrow on them and also are in an original Thatchreed scabbard. I would think in a few years time if they are not marked repro they will appear as original!

However I have taken on board all of your concerns and I am now sure I will be hearing more from you and others- Please keep it sensible as I really don't have the time to get into silly banter with anyone. I will ensure that every one of our items also has an R stamped on them somewhere. I am currently in Vietnam digging and diving until the end of this month so will deal with this on my return.

Jay Howe
www.dugup.co.uk
sales@dugup.co.uk
 
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