You are right with that, lancaster. It is quite doubtful that Pieper did such business.
Yes, it is the same with China. You can buy, from China, a Leupold scope, complete with the name and gold ring, for $35.00 ea including shipping if you buy 3.

I've seen them listed on E-Bay as well, for $150.00 ea.
Leupold, as well as W.W.Greener so many years ago, printed & is printing warnings about the fakes.
Wesley Richards
Westly Richards were a couple more.