I have a picture of a reproduction and original to help anyone that does not know the difference. The top is fake with a date of 10-6-33 and grommets at the corners. The bottom one is real and dated with grommets in center at four locations. The real one is heavier but if you don't have both to compare to it won't help.

Pictured below, comparing the backside to show difference in grommets. The starred grommets are original on the left. Ted

Nice job, Ted! Clear, precise photo's. This info goes into "the file". How've the tech's been treating you? I had one of my guys come up this morning & tell me he needs an ignition switch. I was out of stock at the moment so I found one at another dealer. I hand him the part & he tells me "oh, I need the part the key goes into". GEEEEEZ, you'd think a tech would know the diffence between an ign. switch & an ign. cylinder wouldn't you? *(&&^$@%&!!!!!

Ted, These are the kinds of images and information I had in mind when I set up this reproduction forum. Thanks!

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Jim "Oldgas" Potts
Your host and moderator

TED IT LOOKS LIKE THE ORIGINAL HAS A SIGN MAKER & DATE ON THE BOTTOM?? WHAT DOES IT READ? THANKS FOR THE EDUCATION,REX.

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Good job Dad, It looks like your working hard on your "day off"! ~Jason

Thanks for the input. Tom that sounds just like the guys I try to call techs after you go over it again and again. Jim I'm not a pro and hope I don't make mistakes showing things as I have found out nobody knows everything. I really like the guys on this site and wish more experts would join as well as the novice. Rex, bottom left reads made in u.s.a and right 3-42. This is one that was made in the early WW2 years which has been refered to in a couple different articles. Jason, yes I did enjoy the day off and stopped to remember all the vets and my on experiences. TED

Now I'm really confused. I thought those starred grommets were much newer.I don't know if I've ever seen a sign that old with those type grommets. And the newer sign has solid grommets? Is that right? Honestly no offense. Are there many more signs from the 40's that have these type grommets? Thanks Jim

I have some info forr you JimT. but sents you don't share your email address I can't send it. sorry.

Grommets can be changed, even for the simple reason the a few were missing and you wanted them to all look the same. Or to deceive someone.

It takes less time to change grommets than to change the oil in the car, or to mow the lawn.

<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<>>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>>>>> Usually takes me weeks to mow the lawn..LOL..dodogas

The grommet thing can be confusing and dodogas is right. If you want to decieve some one changing grommets would be a piece of cake. I have many 40's signs with the starred grommets to answer that question. I'm no expert and none have stepped up to the plate here so we share our information that we have seen. Any experts out there jump on in. The key to this reproduction over originals that I see, is the placement of the holes for mounting. I've never seen a supposed original with mounting holes on the corner. Ted

No Smoking sign on Ebay! Grommets not starred on the back but the holes are in the right place! No Date! Real or Fake? #191575306257