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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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(First published on July 28, 2017)
You have already reach the 7th post of the ‘Ultimate Gucci Guide’ on buying Gucci purses on Ebay. I hoped you learned a lot with my Gucci hardware tips.
This is one aspect to look at when checking authenticity. In one of the bags we authenticated in Bagaholic 101’s Gucci bag authentication service, the customer’s Gucci Boston Web Stripe leather bag was a super fake.
What gave the bag away? A tiny detail in the main zipper.
It is very easy to miss for the untrained eye. Thus, I suggest saving yourself from embarrassment by having your potential purchase checked.
I will be dividing this post into several parts, each with the aim of familiarizing you with the hallmarks of a real Gucci bag.
A Little Fake Parade
Here we are with another fake parade, though not as long as this. Let’s start with a fake zipper pull.
The photo below is bad fake. Judging by the photo alone, the metal looks flimsy. Eww. It is nothing like an authentic Gucci metal zipper pull.
Fake Gucci metal zipper pull
That’s easy. Now, let me challenge you with a difficult one (though you might have already seen this in our serial number guide). Look at this Gucci zipper pull:
Fake Gucci Positano GG Monogram Canvas bag with serial number 153033 9771
This zipper pull is similar to what you can find in a lot of contemporary Gucci bags. This is what I call a plain, unmarked leather zipper pull. It looks quite decent, but the giveaway was the leather tag and the serial number.
As I have been saying over and over again, you don’t have to focus on one detail. It is best if you look at several things before arriving at a conclusion on authenticity. Anyway, zipper pulls like this are much easier to copy, so just have it authenticated, per favore.
Next is the zipper head. The photo below shows a fake zipper head and D metal pull (where the leather pull attaches), and it is fake. As you will see further down below, not all Gucci bags have a marking (either GUCCI, YKK or LAMPO, etc) but this plain one doesn’t cut it.
Fake Gucci zipper head
Last but not the least, look at the two GUCCI marked zippers. One of them was a bad fake, while the other is a slightly better fake.
Fake GUCCI marking underneath a zipper, the zipper pull is easy to fake as well.
A slightly better but still fake GUCCI marking
Now that you have seen these fake Gucci zippers, let us look at different details of an authentic Gucci bag zipper.
Contemporary Plain
As mentioned above, this type of leather zipper pull is easier for Gucci replica makers to imitate. They manage to copy even the correct slanted stitching.
For the sake of discussion, let me first draw your attention to the the following (as this is important in subsequent sections).
There are two types of hardware where the leather pull attaches:
a) the thin D-metal without a screw
b) the thick D-metal with a screw
Also, there are two types of plain zipper pulls:
a) a standard plain leather
b) a wide plain leather
Now, you can have a combination of these four things, such as the examples below:
An authentic thin D-metal without a screw and wide plain leather Gucci zipper pull
An authentic thick D-metal with a screw and standard plain leather Gucci zipper pull
An authentic thick D-metal with a screw and standard plain leather Gucci zipper pull
An authentic thin D-metal without a screw and wide plain leather Gucci zipper pull
An authentic thick D-metal with a screw and standard plain leather Gucci zipper pull
An authentic thick D-metal with a screw and standard plain leather Gucci zipper pull
Not so confusing, right? You’re wrong.
Even fake Gucci Dionysus and Gucci Marmont bags will have these types of zipper right. Very scary super fakes. Yikes!
Gucci-Marked Leather Pull
Here are examples of authentic Gucci-marked leather pulls:
A bag with two GUCCI marked leather zipper pull
A brown GUCCI marked side pocket leather zipper pull
A Gucci Gifford tote with a GUCCI marked side zipped pocket
Another GUCCI marked side pocket leather zipper pull
Due to use, the mark could fade
Interestingly, you should note that the examples above are for contemporary Gucci bags with a contemporary leather tag. These Gucci-marked leather pulls below do not have a D-metal, rather a round one. These are from a 90s Gucci bag.
Sample of a GUCCI marked side pocket leather zipper pull
Gucci marked leather zipper pull from a nylon canvas and patent leather Gucci bag
Medallion
If you recall this post on round leather tags, I first mentioned these medallion zipper pulls. The interlocking GG is attached to a chain, which is then attached to a circular ring attached to the zipper head.
Here are a couple of authentic zipper pulls with interlocking GG medallion:
A GG medallion zipper pull on a white Gucci nylon canvas tote bag
A GG medallion zipper pull on a brown Gucci nylon canvas tote bag
But a medallion zipper pull such as the ones above DO NOT guarantee authenticity! Just a little warning.
Metal Pulls
The first photo of this post is the ugly and fake metal zipper pull. Below is an example of an authentic metal zipper pull. Look how exquisite the engraving on the polished silver metal. Bonus that the stitching on the nylon canvas is captured excellently here as well.
A black nylon canvas Gucci tote bag with a metal zipper pull marked with GUCCI
In a lot of Gucci hobo bags, it is familiar to see this G metal zipper on the large compartment. This has GUCCI engraved near the hole attached to the zipper head. Also, this style of hobo bag usually has a diamante lining inside.
A G shaped metal zipper pull on a black Gucci nylon hobo bag
Below is an example of an authentic interlocking GG zipper pull.
A black patent leather bag with a GG metal zipper pull
Vintage
We have focused previously on vintage monogram canvas, as well as the serial number for a Gucci Accessory Collection (GAC). Below is a close-up of the gold Gucci knight crest zipper pull. This is detachable from the zipper head and usually sold separately on Ebay.
It is originally conceived as a liftboy in the 1930s, as Guccio Gucci used to work as one at the Savoy Hotel in London. The knight was introduced in the 1950s to pay homage to the medieval Florentine roots of the brand — with the ship’s wheel for entrepreneurship, the flower as beauty, and the armor as security.
This Gucci knight crest had a revival in the Gucci Babouska collection from Fall 2008/2009.
A Gucci knight crest zipper pull
Another sample of a Gucci knight crest zipper pull
Gucci Crest zipper pull from a vintage Gucci monogram bag (Thanks to one of our readers, Lisa, who sent this over!)
Look at this variation of the Gucci knight crest. It is in a square-ish gold-tone hardware, and if you look closely, attached in a YKK zipper head.
A vintage Gucci bag with a rectangular gold tone zipper pull with the Gucci knight
The gold-tone interlocking GG zipper pull below can also be found in some vintage Gucci Accessory collection bags. You can also see that the hardware is attached to a YKK zipper as well.
A vintage Gucci accessory collection bag with a gold tone GG zipper pull
Lampo
Don’t be surprised if you see that your Gucci bag has a LAMPO zipper. Gucci used and has been using different types of zippers, and LAMPO had been one of them. The shown here are from an authentic Gucci hobo bag and a Gucci bowling bag.
A Gucci nylon canvas tote with a LAMPO zipper underneath
A Gucci bowling bag with a LAMPO marked zipper
YKK
You have seen that Gucci Accessory Collection bags used YKK zippers. Actually, a lot of contemporary Gucci bags also use this type of zipper. It has the YKK etched on both sides of the zipper head.
A YKK marked Gucci zipper pull in contemporary bags
Remember the thick D-metal I had first mentioned above? Here is a close up of its screw, specifically a Phillips screw with a (-) sign. The other end should be blank like the one above, and the zipper pull after the photo below.
A YKK marked Gucci zipper pull with a Phillips head screw on one end
Another sample of a YKK marked Gucci zipper pull in contemporary bags
Here is also an example of a YKK zipper in vintage Gucci bags. Notice that it rests parallel to the direction of the zipper. However, I have seen vintage bags with this zipper pull a bit loose thus the head looking a bit limp.
A vintage Gucci bag with a YKK zipper pull
Other Zipper Information
Have you ever seen this zipper pull before? This is an authentic zipper pull made from Lucite. It has GUCCI etched on it. The zipper below is from an authentic satin bag with bamboo handles described in Part 3 of the serial number post (i.e. the one without the registered trademark).
A Gucci zipper pull marked with GUCCI made from transparent Lucite plastic
In contrast to the hideous GUCCI engraving on the zippers above this post, this one is beautifully done with the correct anatomy of a Gucci logo.
Underneath of a zipper marked with GUCCI
But do not be surprised that some Gucci bags zippers do not have anything written underneath. For instance, look at these authentic zippers (silver and black) that are blank. However…
Non-marked underneath of a silver authentic Gucci zipper
Non-marked underneath of a black authentic Gucci zipper
… if you look closely, the zipper actually is marked with “5CN”.
Authentic Gucci 5CN zipper head
Before we end the zippers, please note that these are also easily faked. You don’t rely on this one detail alone as super fakes got better in getting these right. You may try our authentication service for security.
Next in this ‘Ultimate Gucci Guide’ series, I will be discussing about the Gucci lining.
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‘ULTIMATE GUCCI GUIDE’ SECTIONS:
Hi I recently bought a Gucci Sylvie medium top handbag this my serial num 431665
1778
They gave dust bag and booklet too pls let me know is it real or fake
Hi! Kindly post a photo of your Sylvie and maybe I could help. Cheers!
I recently bought a vintage Gucci accessory collection bag and it’s in great condition which makes me question it’s authenticity a bit.
Hi Baglover! For this free Gucci bag authentication, I will be needing clear photos of the Gucci bag, especially Gucci marking inside the bag. Please upload on Imgur or Tinypic, and put the links in your comment. Cheers!
Pls let me know is it real or fake
Hi do all vintage Gucci bags have the R with the trademark circle around it ?
Not all bags have the registered trademark symbol. However, the Gucci bag in the links you have posted is authentic.
Hi!
Wow what a wealth of knowledge you have! I have been studying your notes and I believe i have purchased genuine vintage gucci bags. Was told by the seller they were purchased in the 1980s from HK. Would i be able to trouble for some reassurance that the are in fact authentic? Both purchased from the same seller. Was not able to inspect as we live in different states so i went off the photos and your notes.
Hi I really need help figuring out if my purse is real. I’m not sure how to upload the pictures.
Hello! I recently purchased a vintage Gucci, but I am in doubt whether it is original or fake. The zipper is CCC, the leather is green. The logo from the outside is very different. It does not have a serial number. I found a 1986 coin inside a pocket, but anyone could have put it there. About the material I think it’s really old and vintage, but I do not know when they started making the fake handbags. Do you have an email where I can send some photos? I’m from Brazil and here we do not have an antiquarian where they could help me. I know the brands Louis Vuitton, Prada and Dior, but about this Gucci I’m really in doubt. The gold logo inside the bag is stained.
Hi Isabella! Kindly upload your photos on Photobucket or Tinypic so your Gucci bag can be authenticated. Cheers!
I inherited a Gucci bag from my grandmother who says she purchased it from the Gucci store in St. Thomas. She says it is authentic since she purchased it directly from ge Gucci store but I’ve never seen this style or pattern before. It’s a cross body clutch and the patter actually spells out GUCCI in a pattern in a bronze color. Can I upload photos to get your opinion and how do I do that?
Hi Taylor! Please upload your photos on Photobucket or Tinypic, then paste the link here. Cheers!
Hi there, my mother passed four years ago and I am just now sorting out all of her handbags. Currently am looking at her white Gucci canteen handbag. I have been reading all of your great information but am still not sure if it is real or a very nice fake. Would you mind looking at my pictures and giving me your opinion ?
Hi Shannon! I am sorry to hear of your loss. Hope you are doing well. As for the Gucci canteen bag, please upload photos on Imgur or Tinypic and paste the links here for me to check. Cheers!
Did some vintage Gucci bags (Boston) have a black metal zipper pull (with a leather strap) where the letters “GB” were ingraved? I have not seen this before. Only one that looked identical but it was a YKK.
Hi Fantine! A YKK zipper should be fine. But please post links to the photos of the Gucci bag in question to be sure. Cheers!
Curious if this bag looks to be authentic. Any help appreciated!
http://i67.tinypic.com/2i1flus.jpg
http://i63.tinypic.com/2v9ssh5.jpg
Hi Dana! This Gucci bag is unfortunately fake.
http://i63.tinypic.com/2v0di88.jpg
http://i68.tinypic.com/e7l920.jpg
http://i68.tinypic.com/o03ssx.jpg
http://i64.tinypic.com/2cqy1ia.jpg
Hi Dana,could you please figure if this gucci piece is authentic.
The gucci font on the first zipper looks kinda weird to me.Your help
is greatly appreciated.
Hi Heather! You may try BAGAHOLIC 101’s authentication service for only a minimal fee of US$ 5. More information here: https://bagaholic101.com/gucci-authentication-service-by-bagaholic-101/ . Cheers!
Hi there I’m curious If this bag is a fake? Would you be able to help me?
Hi Alicia! You may try BAGAHOLIC 101’s authentication service for only US$ 5. More information here: https://bagaholic101.com/gucci-authentication-service-by-bagaholic-101/ . Cheers!
Hi, Could you help me? Is there any Gucci bag with “MELROSE” on the zipper? Thank you.
Hi Margot! You may try BAGAHOLIC 101’s Gucci bag authentication service for only a minimal fee of US$ 5 with a quick turnaround.
You may send the photos and your authentication request at contact@bagaholic101.com
More information here: https://bagaholic101.com/gucci-authentication-service-by-bagaholic-101/
Cheers!
Someone sold me a Gucci necklace and I was in a hurry, first, it was marked for $55.00, with no visible logo or identification. Was there a tie wen Gucci did not stamp bags
Hi Tina! You may try BAGAHOLIC 101’s Gucci bag authentication service for only a minimal fee of US$ 5 with a quick turnaround.
You may send the photos and your authentication request at contact@bagaholic101.com
More information here: https://bagaholic101.com/gucci-authentication-service-by-bagaholic-101/
Cheers!
I recently purchased a vintage abbey gucci bag and i been seeing that it comes with the gucci stamp behind the zipper but mines doesn’t come with it, umm can you help me. Thank you xoxox
Hi Camilia! You may try Bagaholic101’s bag authentication service for only a minimal fee of US$ 5 with a quick turnaround.
You may send the photos and your authentication request at contact@bagaholic101.com
More information here: https://bagaholic101.com/gucci-authentication-service-by-bagaholic-101/
Cheers!
Soo I noticed that the authentic zipper in the middle has 5 CN, in the abbey it only has a 5
Hello
I recently found a Gucci bag on eBay and it seems to be authentic however I don’t know much about Gucci bags other than what I’ve seen in passing, my sisters items from them and reading your information. I’ve always purchased Louis Vuitton so I can easily spot the fakes of those. Can you please help me? I’d greatly appreciate it. I’m a single mother in law school and I can’t afford to loose any money at this point especially not being about to work at the moment. Thank you.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/100-AUTHENTIC-GUCCI-PURSE-OR-MONEY-BACK-GUARANTEED-BUY-WITH-CONFIDENCE-/233676373060
100% AUTHENTIC!!!!! GUCCI PURSE OR MONEY BACK GUARANTEED/ BUY WITH CONFIDENCE
Hi Zipporah! You may try Bagaholic101’s bag authentication service for only a minimal fee of US$ 5 with a quick turnaround.
You may send the photos and your authentication request at contact@bagaholic101.com
More information here: https://bagaholic101.com/gucci-authentication-service-by-bagaholic-101/
Cheers!
hello , i just want to know if the head of the zip have a dolar sign instead of 5CN is it authentic ?
Hi Sara! We need more information, and photos to be sure. You may try Bagaholic101’s bag authentication service for only a minimal fee of US$ 5 with a quick turnaround.
You may send the photos and your authentication request at contact@bagaholic101.com
More information here: https://bagaholic101.com/gucci-authentication-service-by-bagaholic-101/
Cheers!
Hello, did Gucci ever use Talon zippers on a vintage speedy bag?
Hi Joanne! You may try Bagaholic101’s bag authentication service for only a minimal fee of US$ 5 with a quick turnaround.
You may send the photos and your authentication request at contact@bagaholic101.com
More information here: https://bagaholic101.com/gucci-authentication-service-by-bagaholic-101/
Cheers!