All the IJN field caps on a certain auction site

[Fort Susquehanna]

Hi- I have noticed a large number of IJN field caps for sale on a certain well-known auction site.  I received one as a trade, and upon examining it, felt it was fake.  Are these really good ones, or are they fakes?  Some of them look good to me.  Were a large number of these produced?  I would like to hear what forum members think about these.  Also, I'd like to pick one up if there is a real one available.  Thanks!  

[St.Lukas]

Hard to comment without seeing a photo or link to site. 

[Preppy Picker]

I went through several popular auction sites but could not find what you are referring to.

[shemp h.]

If you are asking if large numbers of fakes were made the answer is yes, probably thousands over the years,real IJN caps should NOT have Arabic numbers in it only Japanese Kanji. And photos would help!

 

 

            Bill

[Fort Susquehanna]

Thanks for the answers.  I didn't want to post auction links here.  I am seeing large numbers on @bay, and some are showing up on Marketplace.  They seem to be in VERY good condition.  I have seen the ones marked with Arabic numbers (a well-aged fake was sold to me a few years ago).  But a number of the ones with Kanji also seem to be in exceptional condition.  I am always skeptical of exceptional condition Japanese field gear.  I am focusing my collection on IJN and would like to find one, but am hesitant to purchase because I am not an expert.  

[Mr. Bushido]

Let me add a bit about some of the items I've seen.

 

There are some very detailed replicas in Japan that seem to be sold as the real thing.

 

These products only have kanji stamped on them, but Japanese collectors can still tell they're replicas.

 

But if you can't read kanji, it'll be hard to tell if they're genuine.

 

These are the result of the manufacturers trying to preserve the feel of the replica as much as possible.

[shemp h.]

On 11/22/2024 at 6:06 AM, Mr. Bushido said:

Let me add a bit about some of the items I've seen.

 

There are some very detailed replicas in Japan that seem to be sold as the real thing.

 

These products only have kanji stamped on them, but Japanese collectors can still tell they're replicas.

 

But if you can't read kanji, it'll be hard to tell if they're genuine.

 

These are the result of the manufacturers trying to preserve the feel of the replica as much as possible.

+1

There are unissued originals out there that look BRAND NEW, BE CAREFUL, post photos here before you buy