Is this guy reputable?

[gunsil]

Hi, a friend of mine just purchased a supposed Hudson Bay Company steel spear point from Larry Gavin, Back to Earth in OH. He has also purchased a lot of small fancy agate points that are supposed to be originals from OR. I know 99.99% of all Hudson Bay items are fake and most of the Oregon fancy agate points are modern. Do any of you NA artifact guys know if the seller is on the up and up? Thanks1!

 

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[antmike915]

Pictures of what you're talking about will help. From what I'm reading it sounds like the seller is selling reproductions. Even if you think they're fake or reproductions I wouldn't purchase.

 

[newnan man]

Pics will help.

 

[Gare]

Pictures PLEASE !!!

 

[joshuaream]

I've known Larry for the better part of 30 years, I've always found him to be a stand up, honest fellow.

Without pictures, that's about as much as I can say about the steel point.

 

[tamrock]

Your always best to take the stance from anyone selling so called articles of historical significance it's your job to be the expert on authenticity.

 

[Tesorodeoro]

I've known Larry for the better part of 30 years, I've always found him to be a stand up, honest fellow.

Without pictures, that's about as much as I can say about the steel point.

That’s about all I’d need as a personal reference to take a risk on a purchase.

 

[Kevin D]

while maybe we cant be experts on all related material, (define related) we can as collectors though at least expect ourselves to be experts on what's at hand to fully appreciate what we have.

your friend will know the answers on that topic, good or bad if he's serious about what he has chosen to purchase.

A serious dealer, on the other side, will have already made the efforts to properly vet the material before placing it in your friend's hands. Likewise, if the dealer cares about their reputation as a seller, then that person should offer a no-questions asked return policy

 

[southfork]

How about some photos? I would love to see the Northwest points.

 

[gunsil]

Sadly guys I cannot post photos. My friend does not live nearby and is not computer literate. I am only worried because although he has been collecting for a large part of his eighty years he gets burned here and there by trusting mail order sellers. He collects many other things than NA artifacts. The last time he asked me about an old knife he took photos with a film camera, had them developed and snail mailed them to me. I am only wondering about the reputation of the mentioned seller who sells to my friend via a letter sent out to prospective customers every month or so. To me a Hudson Bay Co steel spearpoint with very light rust and a very light HBC mark does not sound good which is why I ask if folks have had dealings with the seller. My friend says he needed a magnifying glass to see the HBC mark.

Joshua, thanks for your input, it is what I was looking for, hoping there were people who have purchased from him to give me an idea of the guy's honesty in dealing artifacts.

 

[RGINN]

Poor old guy, just like me, takin photos with a film camera, sendin them to you in snail mail. If he takes those pics and sends them, you know you can scan them into your computer and post them here. It would be cool to see pics of his collection.