Fake Bear

[Brandon Webb]

Buyer Beware, this bear is fake.
http://cgi.ebay.com/INTERNATIONAL-HARVE ... dZViewItem

[Barnyard]

I don't collect these, But thanks for letting us amatuers know when these come out. I'm sure you are saving somebody from buying a fake.

BTW, how can one tell if they are fake or not?

[Trent M]

Yes Brandon, thanks. I don't collect these either, but I think it would be great to have a "How To" spot the fake bears. You never know when one of the members might see one of these things at some yard sale or antique shop, etc., and won't know whether to pick it up for you in case you want it Not being armed with this knowledge, I would be inclined to assume any that I came across were fake.

[Brandon Webb]

I actually owned that bear for a couple days, it's on the far right below. I purchased it along with the other 3 pictured below. I was un-experienced and purchased them "blind" on the hope and faith of a bargain. I emailed the seller my ruler to measure them and he gave me exact measurments of originals. When I recieved them they were extremely off what he told me. I returned the bears to the seller as he instructed, and it took almost 2 months but he finally returned my money. As you see he's selling them as original, when he clearly knows they are fakes. He told me he'd owned them for 25+ years. I think it's safe to say all Aluminum, Brass, and copper bears and cadets are reproduction. I had to learn the hard way, but trust me they're all fakes. The bears in the center are cast reproductions, they are to small also. Measuring them in your hand is the only way to tell. Online sellers won't take enough time or care to measure them correctly. 1/16th of an inch is the all the difference in real and fake. Fakes are out there, I've seen some people spend some big money on ebay, on bears that were fakes. Also as paul bell taught me if you see a bear or cadet with red colored rust as in the center bear pictured, that's the sign of an aged reproduction. I bought a cadet this week, when I opened it I knew it was fake, the rust rubbed off on my hands. I measured it and sure enough it was 1/16th off on all measurements. Sent it back.

Here's a link to some excellent information that Paul Bell wrote, it has some pictures that show the size difference in fake and reproduction. In my opinion just looking at a cadet you can't tell it's a fake, but on the bears you'll notice in the pictures below, the reproductions lose their fingers. Small details like this are lost when a mold is made off an original.
http://users.vnet.net/jamhudson/pics/My ... an%201.htm

[Keith L]

Hey Brandon,
I think you bought a real bear from me at Red Power. I also had bought an aluminum repo before I knew that there was no such thing. I think I paid 80 bucks for it.

[Rudi]

Brandon:

I moved this because there is some real good data there that should be saved. Well done and thanks for the Heads Up on this for those who collect these bears. That is the first time I have seen Paul Bell's How To and I like it.. very well done Thanks for the link

[Paul B]

The "bear link" Brandon posted is on Jim Hudson's site (with my permission) and was originally posted here on this forum. There is also some more information about the history of the bears and cadets here; http://www.ky24ihc.org/cadetsnbears.html

[Brandon Webb]

I guess it was you keith, I know I only was able to buy one. I'm a bear nut, I went with the intention of coming home with a suitcase full, I was really supprised there wasn't more at redpower. I guess there isn't that many outside the Louisville area. I love those little guys. Brandon.