Jim; I too believe as John B. has suggested that what has been described with respect to these brass core chips are "altered" or "repaired" rather than counterfeited chips.

In the coin hobby, which I like to compare our hobby to when applicable; one who expertly fills in holed coins with solder, or glues or solders on a "s" or "d" mintmark that has been removed from a different date coin and does not disclose the fact that the coin has been "repaired" or "altered" (like your non-comparable holed fender example on a damaged automobile comparison) ....would be subjected to very severe criticism from most coin hobby organizations up to and including expulsion. While Mr. W. is not a club member as I understand it, he could be deemed a persona non-grata at our convention by the Board and denied admission to the bourse floor as a minimum condemnation of his practice.

Maybe I missed it in an earlier post.... but what is Mr. W. doing with these repaired/altered chips after he "modifies" them? Does he sell them? If so, to whom? Is there someone who is purchasing these "altered" brass cores in quantity from Mr. W? If so, what does that person do with the altered chips that have been purchased from Mr. W? Will that person (or those persons) be identified in a follow-up report?