Any bayonet collectors?

[Jeff423]

This post might be better off in the Firearms & Knives - Other Brands, but I can't seem to delete it.



I have had an old bayonet for a long time. I just did some research and found out that's it's a very common French "Chassepot"and probably worth about $50 - $100. I think that it has good lines and would like to display it. If I clean it up: remove rust, shine, etc., will it be worth $25.00. In other words will "restoring" reduce any value it has?

 

[jlrhiner]

There is always the collector who will say "DON"T TOUCH IT!!" and for a lot of situations, they're right. If you are intending some time in the future to sell it, shining it to a mirror polish will definitely effect the value. However, a good scrubbing with some AAAA or AAAAA steel wool and a good lube to keep it from rusting (I usually use WD40 on the steel wool) won't do too much damage. Having said that, a good assessment of what you have is necessary. If it is in "new" or "un-issued" condition, or carried by a famous soldier in a desperate battle and you have photos proving it, I wouldn't do anything to it.

Botton line though, it's yours, and they did make a bazillion of them. Do what you want to enjoy it.

Jim

 

[Rudi]

There are some people who collect only bayonets.

 

[Imissedagain]

For when you run out of ammo!

After explaining to yacht owners the need to be well armed at sea, the ones that purchased firearms and did not whine when they paid the nav/comm electronics invoice..... I gave many a bayonet.
Victory at Sea is the only option.

Old French or German.

 

[PALADIN85020]

I have managed to acquire one or more original bayonets for each of my military rifles. I'll show you the pride of that collection here. In 1900, a small number of oddball Krag-Jorgensen bayonets with Bowie-style knife blades were made and sent to Cuba and the Philippines for trial. Most were lost over the years, and have become incredibly valuable collector items. I was fortunate enough to obtain one, complete with scabbard. Here are a couple of photos.

I made it a point to attach that bayonet to the Krag pictured on the back of my book 101 Classic Firearms.

John

 

[samnev]

There is always the collector who will say "DON"T TOUCH IT!!" and for a lot of situations, they're right. If you are intending some time in the future to sell it, shining it to a mirror polish will definitely effect the value. However, a good scrubbing with some AAAA or AAAAA steel wool and a good lube to keep it from rusting (I usually use WD40 on the steel wool) won't do too much damage. Having said that, a good assessment of what you have is necessary. If it is in "new" or "un-issued" condition, or carried by a famous soldier in a desperate battle and you have photos proving it, I wouldn't do anything to it.

Botton line though, it's yours, and they did make a bazillion of them. Do what you want to enjoy it.

Jim

I use a similar technique to remove any heavy active rusting. But once that's removed I don't go any further.

 

[Chuck24]

Don't really collect, but do try to acquire one for each of my milsurps

 

[diyj98]

If I clean it up: remove rust, shine, etc., will it be worth $25.00. In other words will "restoring" reduce any value it has?

As a general rule "yes". Most collectors would tell you to leave it as is. Then you get into the questions of "active rust" vs. "inactive rust", etc. Photos would help.

 

[Jeff423]

There is no "active" rust. I was mostly thinking about polishing the brass handle/grip which now almost looks like iron.

 

[HOUSTON RICK]

I have a starter set:

 

[Ματθιας]

I'll be blunt: I'm a collector and as a collector, unless it is to fill a hole in my collection, I have no interest in owner polished, sanded, modified, ect. milsurp firearms and/or accessories. In collectors terminology, it's known as a "Bubba". Please, don't misunderstand me, I'm not calling you a "bubba", but please don't be a bubba.

 

[Frank46]

I was given a 1917 enfield bayonet from one of the model of 1917 rifles in 30-06 heavily encrusted in some type of varnish. and minor pitting and rust under the varnish. In order to arrest the rust I removed all of the varnish and started scrubbing it with CLP and some 3.0 steel wool.Got most if not all of the rust. Couldb't do anything about the pitting so gave it a good wipedown with CLP. The guy who picked it us told me he had picked up the bayonet when he was stationed in Japan after the surrender. Was very happy and was going to make a wood display box to show it off. I could just have easily used a wire wheel and scrubbed the heck out of it and clp to prevent any further rust. as an aside, I have a ash tray made from one of the 5"x54 naval guns that was being fired when I was a member of the crew. Finally found a suitable piece pf brass strip so now I can get it engraved with my name,rank,service number and the name of my ship. It only took me some 50 some odd years. Frank

 

[Jeff423]

I'll be blunt: I'm a collector and as a collector, unless it is to fill a hole in my collection, I have no interest in owner polished, sanded, modified, ect. milsurp firearms and/or accessories. In collectors terminology, it's known as a "Bubba". Please, don't misunderstand me, I'm not calling you a "bubba", but please don't be a bubba.

As the OP I'm not entirely sure whom you are not calling a "bubba" but in my estimation I have a 142 yr. old piece of decorative scrap metal with no active rust (and no historical significance) and a brass grip that might look better as a piece of decoration.

 

[Ματθιας]

As the OP I'm not entirely sure whom you are not calling a "bubba" but in my estimation I have a 142 yr. old piece of decorative scrap metal with no active rust (and no historical significance) and a brass grip that might look better as a piece of decoration.

I'm not calling you or anyone else a bubba. I'm saying don't be a bubba.

However, it's yours to do whatever with, but after polishing it up it'll have been bubba - tized and no serious collector will consider it.

To give a clearer answer about whether or not polishing your bayonet will reduce its value, the answer is yes. Yes, it will reduce the value.

 

[Muley Gil]

"I have a ash tray made from one of the 5"x54 naval guns that was being fired when I was a member of the crew."

I'll bet that is one big, heavy ash tray. I have seen ash trays made from a 5"/54 shell. When I was on the USS Semmes (DDG18), they fired their 5"/54s. Noisy suckers, aren't they?