Rick, there is no way to tell a real steel one from a reproduction steel one if made correctly. Believe me I know people who have made them. A lot of the early reproduction ones had flaws the better newer ones don’t.
Not long ago a dealer had two sets. One was a reproduction and the other wasn’t. The only way to tell the difference was one set had a different thread pitch. Had to bring a piece from a real one to figure out which was which.

Chuck said
Rick, there is no way to tell a real steel one from a reproduction steel one if made correctly. Believe me I know people who have made them. A lot of the early reproduction ones had flaws the better newer ones don’t.Not long ago a dealer had two sets. One was a reproduction and the other wasn’t. The only way to tell the difference was one set had a different thread pitch. Had to bring a piece from a real one to figure out which was which.
Wow. Thanks for the info Chuck. I just ordered a set from Buffalo Arms.
RickC(AG)
Chuck said
Rick, there is no way to tell a real steel one from a reproduction steel one if made correctly. Believe me I know people who have made them. A lot of the early reproduction ones had flaws the better newer ones don’t.
Maybe with the naked eye! But I would imagine the steel today is a better quality steel than that of the 1870s.
Sincerely,
Maverick
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