The Railroad Commissary


Welcome to The Railroad Commissary's Chesapeake & Ohio  /  C&O counterfeit advisory page.

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Parliament Pattern  <::><::><::><::><::> (sometimes incorrectly referred to as "Staffordshire")

This pattern has been counterfeited, but with a quick check of the backstamp, the counterfeits can be spotted. Any piece that shows the Shenango Indian potter is assuredly a counterfeit. Even easier to spot is the top-marked ashtray - the authentic version has the letters "C&O" in gold, but the fake has "C&O" in brown. This is not a difficult pattern to detect, but you must remember to check. The following is an example of the counterfeit backstamp.



(Note: The use of the word "counterfeit" to describe this china is not meant to imply that it is "good" or "bad" - for our purposes, the intentions of the counterfeiters are irrelevant.  Authentic dining car china was made to be dining car china, counterfeit china was made to look like dining car china.  Well done or not, it is not authentic dining car china, and if it is not clearly marked as a reproduction, then it is counterfeit.)

send questions or comments to:  rrcomm@sonic.net