Checkout the feeding frenzy on Ebay for fakes-$512 so far!

[gmanphotog]

Check out this ragtag collection of prison locks. I'm no expert but the Leavenworth Ball and Chain is definitely fake, and I'm pretty sure the slave chain and winchester lock are fake too.

LEAVENWORTH KANSAS PRISON BALL CHAIN & IRON LOCK LOT - Ebay Item number: 190257885151

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vi ... 0257885151

[oldbiscuit]

Your right !! the only thing that isn't fake was the railroad padlocks, but they are pretty common and bring usually $30-$50. It just goes to show you that there really are suckers born every minute. :lol:

[Texican]

If someone wouldn't mind helping a newbie - How do you know the Leavenworth Ball is Fake?
It looks professionally made and casting something like this would be a lot of work to fake properly.
Also shipping these things from India or wherever would seem to be prohibitively expensive.

Thanks in advance for your help.

Texican

[oldlock]

Shipping is not an issue when you consider the extremely low cost of manufacture !

These balls & chains have been found, together with the other common fantasy locks brand 'new' in their boxes & on commercial importers websites.

There is no doubt about their origins amongst experienced collectors.

[Texican]

Wow, certainly seems to be a lot of work for very little. Glad I went to college!

Thanks so much!

Tex

[oldlock]

The costs of labour in India / Pakistan (which is where these are being made) are so low it makes them cheap to make & export.

An example being the wholesale cost into the US of the large (8") iron padlocks are in the region of $15 ..