To add to that, there is nothing wrong with telling someone the product is already available so they don't make an investment in something that isn't going to sell in any significant volume.
The product is not available. There is something close, but thats not the same.
It may be good enough for some, but others were interested in the original - surviving examples of which is hard enough.
It's like saying a Tisas 1911A1 is the same as an US purchased Colt or Rem Rand. its close and reasonably priced, but its not the same.