(ETA: It has come to my attention that the ‘Chicago Tribune‘ has mentioned Bagaholic 101 in their article ‘Is that handbag real, or fake? Here’s how to prove your designer bag is the real thing‘. Thank you very much, Ms. Ellen Warren for the feature and recognizing this Ultimate Gucci Guide!)
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material | vintage serial number | rounded tag serial number | rectangular tag serial number | exterior | hardware | zipper | lining | seams | vintage gucci and gucci accessory collection | gucci outlet | gucci plus | case study 1: gucci abbey bag | case study 2 : gucci soho bag | case study 3 : gucci dionysus bag
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After the exterior details, the next part of this ‘Ultimate Gucci Guide’ series is the bag hardware. This will help you in buying Gucci purses on Ebay. In order to spot a real Gucci bag, you need to add this hardware knowledge to your arsenal. This post will discuss this, along with clear photos.
An authentic Gucci bag will have its hardware either plain or marked with ‘GUCCI’. There is no one-size, fits-all formula here. However, in the event that a bag you are eyeing has GUCCI engraved on it, it could help you in identifying its authenticity.
A common thread in this authentication tips series is the premium given on the GUCCI font logo. It is found on the leather tag, as well as the exterior markings. The crisp and clean lines of the GUCCI font (together with the registered trademark symbol ® and ‘made in italy’) is a cornerstone of the details you need to know.
Here are examples of locks and closures (such as a piston lock of a Gucci Jackie bag) in authentic Gucci handbags:
Silver ® GUCCI made in italy engraved on a nylon canvas bag
A silver piston lock engraved with ® GUCCI ‘made in italy’ from an authentic pale brown Gucci Jackie Bag
Buckle closure engraved with ® GUCCI made in italy
A vintage Gucci bag with gold tone hardware engraved with GG
A good place to see marks on a hardware is on the straps. Here are a couple of examples of hardware on authentic Gucci straps. These could be found on where the straps attach to the bag, mechanisms for adjusting or on the clasps of removable straps:
GUCCI engraved silver hardware of a Gucci bucket tote bag
Hardware on the strap of a Gucci bag with serial number 0001-3355 1781
® GUCCI made in italy engraved on the strap hardware of a Gucci crossbody bag
Silver hardware of a pochette bag engraved with GUCCI
Silver hardware engraved with ® GUCCI made in italy on a removable strap
An authentic Gucci bag with silver strap hardware engraved with GUCCI
Remember the two Gucci nylon canvas totes with silver hardware and diamante lining? Here are the photos where the rolled leather handles attach to the bag’s body:
GUCCI engraved silver hardware on a white nylon canvas tote bag
GUCCI engraved silver hardware on a black nylon canvas tote bag
In some cases, the magnetic snap closures of an authentic Gucci bag will also have an engraving like this:
Metallic snap closure of a Gucci bag with serial number 0001-3355 1781
Although it won’t be weird to see a vintage item engraved with other markings. Look at the example of an authentic vintage Gucci bag below:
Some magnetic snap closures have TOHPO engraved with a series of codes
What about screws? Gucci uses a flat head, negative sign (-) head screw in its hardware. They do not use a positive sign (+) screw head, as the latter is usually used on fake bags. This is a good indicator when looking at photos. For example, look at the screw on this nylon canvas bag:
A flat Phillips screw head (-) on an authentic Gucci bag hardware
In the next post discussing Gucci zippers (pulls and marking underneath), you will also see that the same screw head appears in authentic zipper pulls.
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‘ULTIMATE GUCCI GUIDE’ SECTIONS:
Do you know if Gucci ever used pentagon like buttons on each side of their bags that have the Rights mark then GUCCI below it then made in Italy below it? I am so unsure if a tote bag I placed a bid on (via eBay) and won, but have not paid for is counterfeit. I have searched endlessly and have not found a similar bag with the pentagon buttons. It was listed as new with tags and has a Neiman Marcus tag on it; however, something just seems off about it. The seller has now listed a wallet too and it does not seem authentic either. This will be a gift for my daughter and her first “higher” end bag so I definitely don’t want it to be a knockoff, especially a $375+ knockoff.
Did you manage to get the bag? Post the link to the Ebay auction for the Gucci bag so I can have a look. Cheers!
https://poshmark.com/listing/GUCCI-Vintage-Monogram-Canvas-Large-Shopper-Tote-5b527c0b4a0f2d452a5598a0
I purchased this vintage tote. However, I’m now not sure if it is authentic or not. There is no tag on the inside, but the quality seems sound. If you can help me take a look at it and give me your opinion, I’d really appreciate it. Thanks so much!
Hi! Still need to see any Gucci markings inside. Cheers!
Can you help with authentication of a “Gucci” bag? I have used two different sources, one that charged a small fee, but neither has been able to state that this bag is authentic or a fake. I would like to know one way or another. So could you please advise me as what to do. Please any advise would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks
Yes, please paste a link to the photos here. It will be of a great help to others if photos are made public. Cheers!
Do you know if vintage gucci bags ever used ‘talon’ zippers?
Yes, I have seen an authentic vintage Gucci bag with a TALON zipper.
Hi
I bought a Gucci Boston bag black on eBay. This bag doesn’t smell like leather. But the stitching and finishing look real good. This has serial code 387605 on the top row, 14093 on the 2nd row.
So what do I need to look at to be able to know if this is fake or genuine pls?
Hi! Please post photos of the bag (link) so we can have a look. Cheers!
Are you able to advise on a Gucci Nice microgussima patent bag? I just purchased on Ebay and am not familiar with the product line.
Here is the link: https://www.ebay.com/itm/Black-Gucci-Guccissima-patent-leather-handbag-/302748143391?_trksid=p2047675.l2557&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&nma=true&si=pGVy3HuDXJr1w5CI0E2ofj1VGuk%253D&orig_cvip=true&rt=nc
I am concerned as
Is there supposed to be a black fabric tag inside the zippered pocket of this bag? Also are the 2 open pockets completely sewn shut on the bottom hem? On mine the bottom corners are open. In other words the seam does not go all the way across the bottom of the open pocket. I ask because there are a few of this style for sale and they are seem to vary when it comes to these 2 things.
Hi! Please post a link of the detailed photos of your bag, especially the Gucci tag and serial number. The Ebay auction is not showing any of those. You may upload it on Photobucket or Tinypic. Cheers!
Has Gucci ever made a hobo bagwith Made in Italy (note caps) on the serial tag and hardware?
Hi! Please post a link of the photos of your bag. You may upload it on Photobucket or Tinypic. Cheers!
Hello! I was wondering if you could help me determine the authenticity of this vintage Gucci bag. I recently purchased it online. The stitching, canvas, logos, and serial number all look authentic to me, but since I’m new to this, I’m afraid I might be over looking something! Thank you!! http://s1268.photobucket.com/user/sbpe229/library/Gucci%20Bag
Hi, i bought a gucci bag on mercari. Seller said she bought it in europe and i believe her. The tag and markings look authentic to me but when i have it authenticated twice, they said its fake. Need help!
Hi! Would you have photos of the Gucci bag in question? I can have a look. Cheers!
Hi I have a Gucci bag that was my grandmas and I am not sure if it’s real or not. Would be able to tell with a photo?
Hi Susie! For this free Gucci bag authentication, I will be needing clear photos of the Gucci bag, especially the Gucci tag and serial number. Please upload on Imgur or Tinypic, and put the links in your comment. Cheers!