Identifying authenticity of Paraclete HPC

[MultipleParadox]

Hey guys
So I bought a Paraclete/MSA HPC from some guy
He and some other people (not necessarily knowing what they're talking about), assure me it's real

I haven't received the item yet; some pics were provided and it has the MSA/Paraclete label and model number etc. It helps making it look legit, but we all know chinese are good at replicating every single details

I've tried searching around to see if replicas of this PC were even made, and couldn't find anything relevant; which is a good thing I suppose

So now the question is, is there any reliable way to differentiate a real HPC from a potential replica?

I should receive the carrier on the 30th

Thanks

[Ricochet]

Hmm, that's a tough one. The tag is usually a give away. Although Chinese companies may replicate the tag, many of the higher end repro companies won't because they sell to a large international market. If they do then it's likely they use one generic serial number and all their tags are exactly the same. Find that number and compare to yours.

Other ways of telling are stitching style, stitching color, fabric used, etc.

[manchovie]

I found that repro companies have trouble matching Paraclete's smoke green colour and the trim tape so your best bet is comparing it to some pouches you may have. Thing is that Paraclete's colours aren't exactly consistent either, I've had many generations of pouches and they're all slightly different but the repros tend way more to the OD end of the spectrum especially on the trim tape. If the colour matches ranger green for the main cordura or molle then you may have a problem too. I've got an old HPC as well, post a picture of the tag and we'll see how they compare.

[MultipleParadox]

Thanks for the advices

Unfortunately I don't have anything made by Paraclete or MSA to compare it with
Maybe if I could find closeup photos of stitches and materials used it'd give me an idea at least

Thanks

[Danke]

Did you miss the part where he said post photos when you get it.

[MultipleParadox]

Originally Posted by Danke

Did you miss the part where he said post photos when you get it.

I guess I did! :P Thanks for pointing that out

That's what you get when reading/replying to forums during meetings

[ericwilliam]

There are no replications of the HPC that are accurate w/ tags. Pantac and Flyye each make one, both are off in a couple areas, and have their own tags.

You honestly should be good..

[MultipleParadox]

That's pretty much what I figured, thanks for confirming

Will post pics when I get it abyways, just in case :P

[MultipleParadox]

Hey guys, so I *finallllyyy* received the carrier...!

Here are some photos if you want to help me ID it;
More comments at the end
The pouches are also "Msa/Paraclete" and the same color/materials as the carrier

Except the Utility pouch, where you'll see the colors differs (last 2 photos)











-----------





----

So the last two photos show the utility pouch, which is a Phantom
There's two thing that matched my eyes:

1- The Paraclete Pouches, on the Molle straps, have the same small band as the phantom pouch you see in the last photo. So when you finished weaving the pouches, you tuck the extra length of strap under the pouch's molle webbing (hard to explain...)

2- The Molle webbing of the carrier is not super consistent; The width between stitches seems to vary slightly around the 1" standard width (for instance, when weaving the left pouch, one of the strap isn't aligned properly in the carrier's "column", and is skewed, because the stitching is a bit narrower than it should)

So,
The Phantom util pouch definitely copies the same design as of the Paraclete
Don't have the same color
Has not MSA/Paraclete tag, but has a Phantom tag
Material seems to be the same

The carrier and mag pouches have the same color and material
Seems to be 500D, good quality at first look, lightweight

Thoughts?

[R711]

Could you get a clear pic of the tag. As of right now I'm about 50/50 on wether it's a fake. MSA is so paranoid about being sued they label everything as not being an armoured product with the proper inserts and I can not see that on the tag, If it's a fake, it's a high quality one. Went back enlarge the picture it looks like a real tag sans the warning. It looks like most of the Paraclete stuff I've owned, it's what the tag is made of it seems a bit off. But, that may just be due to MSA's change in manufacturing techniques/materials.
R711 out.

[MultipleParadox]

Thanks for the reply

I'll come back with a potentially clearer pic

The tag is pretty much almost erased; which I find a bit odd too (same for the pouches but these look a bit worn out, elastic being a bit messed up)

[MultipleParadox]

Not sure it's clearer but here goes




Definitely no.mention of the warning you mention

[R711]

The tag looks right, as to the pouch colour looking off, that's common for Paraclete. I had purchased 8 items in smoke green from them, 5 were the same colour and the other3 were different shades, the MOLLE on the back was black. But, it was all still Paraclete
R711 OUT