Fake/Counterfeit Azumi flute?

[vegetarianshark]

Hi guys,

I am a professional saxophone player who would like to learn the flute, therefore I was hoping if I could get some expert help about instrument purchase on this board

I have stumbled across a second hand Azumi flute on the internet. Since I cannot find any information about the model, I started to suspect it could be a counterfeit one.

So, the model I've been contemplating is Azumi AZ-S2RBEO. Sounds and reads similar to Azumi's AZ2SRBEO but as I could see on the internet and Azumi's website, genuine Azumi flutes of this type clearly read AZ-Z2RBEO on the upper end of it's body (there's a Z instead of an S as the 3rd character). Could it be an obsolete model or is it a cheap made-in-... counterfeit? Photos attached below.

Thanks for any kind of advice!
Cheers,
Miha

[https://ibb.co/g31GBX9]
[https://ibb.co/pymWnKv]
[https://ibb.co/nm5WdFt]
[https://ibb.co/hRbR6fS]

[pied_piper]

The engraving looks like it is laser etched and that is generally an indicator that it is not a genuine Azumi.

[JButky]

Older models were engraved this way. On the back side just below the barrel, you will probably find a 958 mark. These were 958 silver. I would have to double check, but I believe they changed the engraving to include the "Z" when they switched to 925 silver..

[vegetarianshark]

Thank you both! I will verify about the number when I visit the shop and post an update here