hawkdriver Posted October 26, 2008 Share #1 Posted October 26, 2008 I went to the gun show this weekend and while walking past a table, I ran into this bayonet. I picked it up and pulled it out of the scabbard and saw the RIA, turned it over and saw the US. I asked the guy at the table what he wanted for it, he shot back $50. I pulled out $60, but he didn't have change, so he said that I could leave it and as soon as he could make change, I could come back and pick it up. I said the price was good and took off like a shot before he changed his mind. Now to the question. The bayonet has a shiny green "blueing" finish to it. I'm thinking it has been refinished. I am sure the knife is worth more than what I paid for it, but by how much? Here is a full length look at it Left side Right side The release button. Here you can really see the green hue. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bayonetman Posted October 26, 2008 Share #2 Posted October 26, 2008 Sorry to say this is a modern reproduction, not sure of which company's version it is but may be Sportsman's Guide: http://www.sportsmansguide.com/net/cb/cb.aspx?a=322977 There are others as several companies now supply these bayonets. I think the AEF Supply version has smooth grips, not sure about What Price Glory as I haven't handled any of theirs. I don't pay too much attention to these repros but have seen a few at the shows. Retail runs about $70 or so. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hawkdriver Posted October 26, 2008 Author Share #3 Posted October 26, 2008 Thanks, any idea on how to strip the "greening" so that it could at least be refinished to a blue finish? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
J_Andrews Posted October 27, 2008 Share #4 Posted October 27, 2008 Originals of this date were not factory blued, they were issued bright. During WWI, because the blades' shininess revealed the position of so-equipped units, many/most were BLUED. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Still-A-Marine Posted October 27, 2008 Share #5 Posted October 27, 2008 For pricing bayonets I would suggest U.S. Military Knives, Bayonets & Machetes Price Guide - Fifth Edition. It's only $11.95 including shipping. I have found it to be a good way to keep myself from getting carried away when pricing edge weapons. http://www.usmilitaryknives.com/price_guide.htm Here are a couple of snap shots of mine. I bought it last May at a cost of $214.50. Bill Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hawkdriver Posted October 27, 2008 Author Share #6 Posted October 27, 2008 Nice bayo, hope to run into one like yours some day. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BOLO Posted October 27, 2008 Share #7 Posted October 27, 2008 Im sure the gun show vendor knew it was a reproduction, but he didnt tell you? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cherokee tj Posted October 27, 2008 Share #8 Posted October 27, 2008 Atlanta Cutlery is only about 15 minutes from my house, saw some of the same repos there, I think they were 69.00 with a repo scabbard. Would be ok to display on a rifle until you found a real one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BOLO Posted October 27, 2008 Share #9 Posted October 27, 2008 the repro markings look much cruder and not as sharp Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BOLO Posted October 27, 2008 Share #10 Posted October 27, 2008 original factory markings look sharper more detailed Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hawkdriver Posted October 28, 2008 Author Share #11 Posted October 28, 2008 No BOLO, he didn't tell me, but buyer beware, I was in a hurry to get rolling, so I didn't pay attention and was unaware that there were knock-offs being produced, so it ultimatel is my fault. I did go to Wal-mart today and got a bluing kit and stipped the hideous green finish off and worked it down, blued it, and it is sitting in the sink curing right now. If it turns out OK, I will post a pic. May be salvageable yet. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BOLO Posted October 28, 2008 Share #12 Posted October 28, 2008 they are making all kinds of "knock offs" these days usa, british, japanese, german, etc but they are easy to spot when you see them up close and handle them Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hawkdriver Posted October 29, 2008 Author Share #13 Posted October 29, 2008 Well, with nothing to loose, I got my Birchwood Casey blueing kit out and stripped that nasty green finish off the bayonet and blued it last night. Here is the final product. I seem to be the collector of wayward bayonets. The top bayonet is a 16" that was chrome plated for a drill bayonet. It had a hand made wood scabbard with a pure silver throat and wood grips when I got it. I've kept it in the chromed condition, but have toyed with stripping it back to bare steel. The bottom bayonet is there to help set a reference for the blueing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris_B Posted October 29, 2008 Share #14 Posted October 29, 2008 50 bucks? Doesn't seem out of line for a repro. I've dropped three times what you paid for that repro on a legit one Nobody has mentioned it, I think everyone forgot- It's a reproduction Model of 1905 bayonet, Sportsmans Guide inexplicably lists M 1903, perhaps thinking it needs to match the designation for the model of 1903 rifle. I think there was also a 1903 SMLE bayonet too- bayonetman has forgotten more about this stuff than I ever knew Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now