I Just added all this to the First Post of this thread:
Roman and his shop did a fantastic job of designing this to be close enough, but have some easy to spot tells so that no one gets scammed.
There are some finish variances in the batch as happens with ALL mass produced items, but the following are so far consistent with this first early batch that are getting into people's hands.
Here's my findings:
Roman’s new replica is based on the more sought after FOLMER Graflex corp variant. On the far right you see how they have been showing up. With the bottom cap nickel plate in very shiny chrome-like appearance. Far left you see, what a scotch brite pad will do with minimal pressure and work.
You can easily spot the tell for the Roman's Empire replica
The manufacturer hasn’t completely rolled the crimp on the bottom cap causing a sharp visible line
Aside from some obvious finish variances, the new replica clamp with painted lettering has one obvious tell. The “G” and “X” in the word G R A F L E X stamped across the clamp face, overlap the registration bar stamping holes. The real vintage clamps line up with the leading edge. Older Parks clamps come short in comparison. That said, and not pictured. Roman’s summer 2016 stand alone clamp run is DEAD ON to a real clamp… but much cleaner in finish.
The “beer tab” on a vintage has a more muted, bead blasted finish, where the new replica is very shiny. The beer tab rivet is turned now, and exhibits the turning/machining pattern, but doesn’t seem to have the correct chamfer.
Slight differences can be seen in the slide switch as well
As new, Roman’s Glass Eye, is of the shiny variety, that was more common on later Patent Graflex Inc. Flashes
Vintage FOLMER Graflex flashes had a few variations of glass eye. The more common was a brushed or satin finish to a rounded bevel
A lathe and light scotch brite pad work can transform the shiny Roman glass eye
Easily overlooked, but once you see it you can’t miss it… The bunny ears exhibit numerous tells. The Roman ears are taller and of slightly thinner stock. Shapes are different as well.
If I remember correctly… ALL of my FOLMER flashes has straight, smooth post sync pins
The red buttons on the replica are ALMOST indistinguishable from Parks’ old replicas, but very obviously NOT the same as a vintage. The shapes are different, as are the finishes. However, you can achieve a more vintage look on the very chrome replica button with a lathe and some scotch brite.
Finally… MOST if not all REAL FOLMER Graflex flashes have square based top sync pins.