Ok, it needs to be said, having known Steve for a number of years, when at shows, with the general public, if the plate was not an outright fake or reproduction, he was many times gracious.
The answer given was one typical of Steve and others. I received the same answer from Dave Taylor, many years ago when I purchased what I knew to be a medical enlisted Civil War kepi. No one wants to be the bearer of bad news, so Dave looked at my purchase and said a few nice things, like could be, beautiful cap etc. The cap turned out to be original, original Indian Wars kepi, Dave knew it but decided it was best to let me have my glory. As it turns out, it is a very rare kepi, just not what I thought is was.
My dealings with Steve were similar, if he wasn’t dead sure, but thought it was post or repop, he would say maybe, I then knew it wasn’t.
I learned by asking “what will you pay for this”, I then got their true feelings and sometimes it hurt.
I have a different take on this, I believe in pulling the bandaid off quickly, that way when it comes to sell or pass on, it’s true identity and value are known, there are no surprise.
I’m going on a rant here, but the many unsuspecting victims of EBay purchases are in for a real shock, when they go to sell their invaluable treasures........