My SS reproduction has the same model number the original one did, and even has a hologram sticker (reproduced with the permission of williams).

There were five major sub-contractors that made pinball playfields for the major pin companies. Most all of them stamped their identifying mark on the side of the playfield (in the laminated layer part). You'll see:

CCC - Churchill Cabinet Company
ESC - Electronic Sound Corp
LS - Lenc-Smith (almost all Ballys)
SP - Sun Process (Williams Only)
TAG - TAG

None of the reproduction companies should be mimicking a manufacturer's mark.

For a good history of playfield manufacturing:

http://www.flippers.be/pinball_playfields.html

wow quite the process from the looks of the videos

There should usually be a date stamp along the edges of an original playfield along with the manufacturers marking.

-Hans

I did not see a mention of WEBER pf ? (Williams MB)

Jim

i'm interested in the 'diamond plate' williams playfields. i see dates printed on the side of my DM, but nowhere do i see anything regarding it being just that? interesting.

i guess i should assume it is diamond plated being that the dates are of the original DM release (1994).

It depends. Some repos have errors, but it is hard to track down.

there are differences among playfields for the same machine depending on who made the playfield since the used multiple manufactures as well as when it was made. My buddy finds tag playfields to be the best from what he has seen, but certain playfields are better on certain machines.

Generally speaking it doesn't really hurt or add value. Since the machines are valued based on appearance it is moot. What does matter is condition, unless of course it is nib or a cq huo pin.