Genuine Or Fake Alligator

[Oakley]

Hello,

can somebody tell me if this old handbag is made out of genuine Alligator or embossed fake one? I was told it's crocodile but i think it can't be. Especially the second picture the bottom irritates me. I hope someone can help.

Regards,

Oakley

[Chief31794]

It appears genuine skin to me. Easier to tell from the flesh side, but it looks like this has been lined. Embossing normally produces a repeatable pattern at some length, just my opinion, I could be wrong, shoot that's happened before.

Chief

[Cyberthrasher]

Embossing normally produces a repeatable pattern at some length, just my opinion, I could be wrong, shoot that's happened before.

Chief

I was thinking the same thing when I was looking at it and couldn't find anything that repeats. But, that's not to say that it could be just the right cut that you can't see anything repeat either.

[WinterBear]

Looks like a repeat here. What do you all think?

[Chief31794]

Looks like a repeat here. What do you all think?

Could be, your eyes are better than mine I didn't see that one, but it doesn't seem like that repeat if it is one is consistent with the areas above, below and to the sides of it. Hard to be certain when you can't touch, examine, etc. I'm no expert on exotic skins that's fer sure, most of the embossed I've seen has large areas that repeat every foot or so. This doesn't seem to do that, it looks like alligator or crock belly and sides.

Chief

Chief

[WinterBear]

Well, how about this then. Both of these are from the right hand side of each picture. The lower one has been rotated 180 degrees. The two red dots on each picture are to help orient the viewer.

[Cyberthrasher]

Looks like a repeat here. What do you all think?

I think you nailed it with this one. I thought I had seen a couple of reversed sections originally, this just proved it. Cound the square sections that come off that point toward the round spots, then you can line that up with the little points in between. it is a PERFECT match. Nature is pretty good at symmetry, but I've never seen it that close.

[Chief31794]

Nice catch. It is one of the better looking embossing jobs I've seen. Looks pretty good what ever it is.

Chief

[WinterBear]

I think it proves I am a bona fide weirdo.

[Oakley]

Thank you for your answers. I think WinterBear is right, i found another similar pattern on the handbag that can't be genuine.

[jrbugs25]

Sorry, at first I thought it was real and maybe like a kamen croc or something but everything seems TOO perfect. I think its fake always a bummer!

[Danno3]

I don't know alot about many subjects on this site, but this I know. I have worked with both real Fl Gator hide and lots of highest quality , made to order, aniline dyed embossed in my shop.

That is undoubtedly embossed cowhide. Many things to say about total lack of scars or buttons on the hide, although possible, not typical..

Most importantly to me is the double belly scales on the bottom lol. As you said Oakley, something did'nt sit right with you about the bottom. It's the fact that gators only have one belly, and the gusset is cut from a piece of leather with the side portion of the pattern devising two belly's. I know this is a really old post... but

[gentle ben]

How much does a genuine hide run yiu, just outta curiosity?

[Greystone]

consider what a skin looks like laid out

the last I bought at the widest point +- 13" 30cm and about 42" long grade 1 $300+