REAL or FAKE alligator bag? HELP

  • Thread starter Thread starter MoreWine
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MoreWine

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Hello there,

please help me with this bag, is this real or fake alligator?? I purchased it based on its looks from a vintage shop, and I am now unsure if it´s fake or not... Anyway I think it´s lovely; I just worry about the possibility of paying 400 euros for a fake alligator bag..

I am not an expert when it comes to exotic skins; please advise.

And please also educate me with info about why it either is, or isn´t real alligator.

Thanks so much for your help!
 
Hi MoreWine, I think it's probably real alligator but if you could show some close up pics it would help.

The reason I think it's likely to be real is that I've had similar bags of that style, could be '50s-early '60s but seeing the interior, details of labels etc would help.

Is there a piece of the skin you can see on it's side or underside? Maybe on a edge or side that has worn a bit or inside if the lining is coming undone? Maybe a worn bit on the handle? Embossed leather will show itself under these conditions. If you're not sure, post a close up pic and then we can see.

Nicole
 
Thanks a lot! I will post later pics of the interior, it´s real leather inside and very well made. The gator pattern is very irregular everywhere; there are no labels inside. The bag looks very stylish (and expensive at the time) to me. Somehow I find it hard to believe that it wouldn´t be real, or maybe it´s just my wishful thinking.

She was a colleague I bought the bag from so I can take it back to her if I like, and she has been 30 years in the business. Maybe I just stop stressing and try to believe it´s real gator...

Ok, but I will post the pics later today when I get home. Thanks again for your help!
 
Hi, haven´t been able to upload pics as I continuously forget to take my camera home from work, or its battery charger to work with me.

So could you kindly educate me WHY do you think it could be either fake gator, or the real deal? I have read dozen of articles about how to spot fake alligator, but they only tell me what I already know. And based on what I already know, it´s very hard for me to tell if it´s real or not.

It is in impeccable condition, so unless I tear one seam up I won´t be able to see any skin... The seams are turned inside, so no raw edges can be seen; however, on the inside there is a pocket, where one edge is just glued, not turned inside, and the skin looks irregular in width. Does that help at all? Could be embossed too. Somehow I just find it hard to believe I got such a beautiful bag in real gator; have been looking for a gator bag that doesn´t look like my granny´s forever.

It would be wonderful if this conversation continued, as I sell vintage (Victorian-1950s) for my living. And this is a tough one for me. I would like to learn to distinguish exotic skins from fakes better, just to become better in my job.

Is there a thread somewhere regarding this matter?

Thanks for your help, will put a Post-it on my forehead to remember to take the camera home with me today.
 
Not sure if this will help you but here's a photo of a 1940's alligator bag:

Alligator%20Handbag.jpg


and here's a crocadile bag that is more similar to yours - C. '60's. I was told that it was European when I purchased it:

Croc%20Purse.jpg


and last another alligator bag - C. 1950's

Grey%20Alligator%20Handbag.jpg


Here's the interior of the last one:

Duette%20Handbag%20Interior.jpg


Hope this helps!
 
Hello again, here are some more detailed pics. The bag is leather inside with no labels.
 
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