N8NOE" <N8NOE@xxxxxxxxxxx> wrote in message
news:1131918989.841011.221910@xxxxxx...xxxxxxxxxxxxxx
> Anyone know what EXACTLY What to look for on the Dupont lighters to be
> sure there Original?.. I have one "Maybe" coming from a Friend and just
> looking to be sure it's the REAL DEAL?.. I know people collect these
> things, but I'm going to use it! I Also hear of "PING"?.. I have used a
> Savilelli for some time, and I'm told it's the same basic Design, this
> is the Best I know so far.. I hear there are a LOT of fakes, so HELP!..

Here is a cut and paste from a cigarfamily.com post on this subject:

How can you tell? Pay attention at the following details: 1. Bottom
Markings: a) Dupont Mark (square): use a 10x loupe you should see the mark
has good detail with the very small dupont word imprinted in the little
square. b)ST Dupont Paris Laque De Chine should be engraved not machine
stamped, you can see the edges are sharp. c)The serial numbers from the
FAKES appear to have the same fonts similiar to the markings in (b). Pay
attention at the stamping presure applied you can see that it is stamped at
the same time as the markings in (b). Also the serial numbers and letters in
the FAKES are more evently condensed, the spacing between each serial letter
look about the same as the marking in (b). This is FAKE duponts. You can go
the eBay and check them out

AUTHENTIC DUPONT: has Serial number marked at a different time as the
markings in (b). You can see the font used is different, the spacing between
letters of the serial is about the size of 2 serial letters putting
together. The depth of the engraved (again not stamped) serial is DIFFERENT
than that of the marking in (b).

Overall you can see an apparent different look between the the Serial and
the marking in (b). That is an authentic dupont. If serial looks uniformly
the same as marking in (b) then it is cleary a FAKE.

Here is the example to illustrate: FAKE: S.T.Dupont PARIS MADE IN FRANCE
LAQUE DE CHINE 920EB27

AUTHENTIC: S.T.Dupont PARIS MADE IN FRANCE LAQUE DE CHINE 9 2 0 E B 2 7

2. Colors: Fake gold color is more red (copper) rather than yellow (gold)
Fake palladium color is more stainless steel like than platinum like

3. Lacquer works: Many new Fakes show uneven finish, rough and sratchy when
you turn and reflect it under a light to see its surface.

Authentic new dupont lacquer is even, smooth edge to edge and even level
with the metal trim.

4.Metal works: Open the lighter lid, look at the lower edge where the lid
shut down on. Fake has cross marks (by machine cross section cut) and some
time clamp marks.

Authentic one is even and smooth without any clamp marks and cross mark.

Bottom screw caps: Fakes cap edge is more sharp. Authentic cap edge is much
smoother.