Can anyone help on restoring WW1 german bayonet grips ?.

gew98 · Mar 14, 2026

I lost a huge collection in a fire alomost 11 years ago. I saved four imperial german bayonets - grips got burnt off. Two S98 quillbacks and two 98/05'S. Over the years I have tried 3 fellows. Two gave up , and the 3rd was an ancient old fellow whom gave it a go , but zero quality in the work. My intention is to give these to my son since the value on these has gone through the roof. I would love to find a skilled wood guy that could make these look right again. Any help appreciated.

Hilldweller · Mar 14, 2026

I’m sure you’ve already done this, but in the off chance you haven’t….

I’d google companies/individuals who make wood grips for pistols. From what I’ve seen in past searches some there were a few who had the ability to “scan” the item and then use the software to design a grip that will fit. Most of them were using computerized CNC machines. Worth a shot but I’m sure it ain’t cheap. Guess you’d have to balance the cost of custom grips (scales) against the value of the items and how replacements would affect that.

gew98 · Mar 14, 2026

I tried that with google etc and it got me nowhere towards anyone that would respond. That's why I ask if anyone knows such a skilled person that will reply or not just send the bayos back after a few months saying cant do it.

AudieMurphy · Mar 14, 2026

Since they were "lost" in a fire...didnt the insurance company pay for that loss? and even if you did get get repop grips,the value of it being not origonal the value drops....same as a gun or anyother antigue....One other possiblity for your dilema.....buy another one with good grips, used them as a template. when done resell the new bought one! there you go!

Greyman50 · Mar 14, 2026

Sadly the old Shotgun News had lots of parts but these days the only place you Might find them is a Large militaria show. SOS in Louisville would be first place you should look.

GypsmJim · Mar 14, 2026

Have you considered making them yourself?

I have a bayo collection and quite a few years ago I acquired a couple with rotten handles. I got a piece of walnut and cut thin strips on a table saw. It wasn't hard to shape them. I used the bolts and ferrules that came off the rotten ones.

Maybe an expert could tell, but they look good to me.

gew98 · Mar 14, 2026

AudieMurphy said:
Since they were "lost" in a fire...didnt the insurance company pay for that loss? and even if you did get get repop grips,the value of it being not origonal the value drops....same as a gun or anyother antigue....One other possiblity for your dilema.....buy another one with good grips, used them as a template. when done resell the new bought one! there you go!

I was insured for $45k , lost over $250k. They gave me $34k . Typical insurance.

gew98 · Mar 14, 2026

Greyman50 said:
Sadly the old Shotgun News had lots of parts but these days the only place you Might find them is a Large militaria show. SOS in Louisville would be first place you should look.

WW1 german bayonet grips are all hand fitted - you can not take grips off another to fit another. Does not work that way sadly.

AudieMurphy · Mar 14, 2026

gew98 said:
I was insured for $45k , lost over $250k. They gave me $34k . Typical insurance.

I know how that goes...its called mitigation and anything thats an antique or special...needs its own insurance...they hosed me too

MelvinWalker · Mar 14, 2026

Sell them on Ebay and go to the Show of Shows and buy original replacements if you desire GEW98 bayonets.

Almost every single seller of vintage cars on Barrett-Jackson, Mecum, etc are losing thousands on every correct restorations.

You will lose in the end and it still won't be original.

gew98 · Mar 14, 2026

MelvinWalker said:
Sell them on Ebay and go to the Show of Shows and buy original replacements if you desire GEW98 bayonets.

Almost every single seller of vintage cars on Barrett-Jackson, Mecum, etc are losing thousands on every correct restorations.

You will lose in the end and it still won't be original.

Have you priced Imperial German Bayonets at SOS or fleabay ?. I carried two of these to the last SOS - literally had a dealer wanting $125 for a pitted polished 98/05 no scabbard and no grips and he offered me $$100 for an S98 with ersatz scabbard. The scabbard alone is worth double that. I'm not playing that game with those pukes.

Bekeart · Mar 15, 2026

Quoting:
Have you priced Imperial German Bayonets at SOS or fleabay ?. I carried two of these to the last SOS - literally had a dealer wanting $125 for a pitted polished 98/05 no scabbard and no grips and he offered me $$100 for an S98 with ersatz scabbard. The scabbard alone is worth double that. I'm not playing that game with those pukes.

Did you ask to meet Ali Baba and the other thirty nine?

Bekeart

gew98 · Mar 15, 2026

Bekeart said:
Quoting:
Have you priced Imperial German Bayonets at SOS or fleabay ?. I carried two of these to the last SOS - literally had a dealer wanting $125 for a pitted polished 98/05 no scabbard and no grips and he offered me $$100 for an S98 with ersatz scabbard. The scabbard alone is worth double that. I'm not playing that game with those pukes.

Did you ask to meet Ali Baba and the other thirty nine?

Bekeart

Thankfully I spot such dealer types a mile away. Loved it shows when I would bring a rare gew98 or two to show a fellow collector and scum like Christian Gastior ( now deceased) would follow me around and continually make me offers after I told chris - whom I knew bugger off not for sale. Some things never change - excepting the incredibly inflated values.

fourarmed · Mar 15, 2026

Another possibility: use Acra Glas to fit the ones you have on them now. If you get a decent color match they'll look a whole lot better than they do now. Just remember to use release agent or several coats of Johnson's paste wax.

bph9 · Mar 15, 2026

You might go to gun shows and talk to people who custom make knives. They make scales (grips) for knives and could easily make the wood grips for your bayonets but the cost would probably exceed the value of the knife because some of the work these guys do is out of this world.

Another source is the people who have their custom knives displaced in the magazine called "Knife Magazine". If one of them wanted to they could not only make the grips but install them and even polish up the blades if they are not to badly pitted. Again these guys do not work for nothing. A job like that for them would be child's play.

gew98 · Mar 15, 2026

fourarmed said:
Another possibility: use Acra Glas to fit the ones you have on them now. If you get a decent color match they'll look a whole lot better than they do now. Just remember to use release agent or several coats of Johnson's paste wax.

That's just doubling down on ugly...like lipstick on a pig.

wood714 · Mar 15, 2026

A 10 second Google search turned up these guys. Couldn't hurt to give them a call.

Stone Knifeworks

Jimbo41 · Mar 15, 2026

Assuming they are still flat, not warped or twisted, it doesn’t look too difficult, just tedious. You might try going to a local knife show and ask a few craftsmen for their opinions.

gew98 · Mar 15, 2026

wood714 said:
A 10 second Google search turned up these guys. Couldn't hurt to give them a call.

Stone Knifeworks

Thanks . I sent him an email with pics. Hope he does not bai like many other have.

gew98 · Mar 15, 2026

Jimbo41 said:
Assuming they are still flat, not warped or twisted, it doesn’t look too difficult, just tedious. You might try going to a local knife show and ask a few craftsmen for their opinions.

They are definitely tediously made as they require routing on the back , proper holes for spanner screws , angled & radiused grip grooves on stocks with their bottom edges rounded.