Enfield number 5 Mk 1 Bayonet help

[HOOKED ON HISTORY]

I have decided I must complete my Number 5 "Jungle Carbine" with the appropriate bayonet.
I have bid in several on ebay but they are quite the hot item. I can not bring myself to spend more on an accessory than I did on a very nice Number 5. Any ideas where one could be purchased without me having to sell the rifle to buy it? Anyone have an opinion on the Indian remakes as to quality? I may be forced to purchase one until I can obtain an original.

[teal]

IF you want a genuine no5 bayonet JC Militaria in the UK usually has them in stock, they may be pricey but i think your beautiful no5 deserves the real thing.

[Gunny Hooch]

I would say to just keep searching and searching sooner or later you will come up on great deal.
I am like you Ive constantly been searching for the bayonet and scabbard for my Jungle Carbine.
just hadn't come across the right deal yet.

As for the India remakes, heard say they were thinner on the blade portion then the original
and that the metal used isn't that great, but then again if you don't plan on any hard Bayonet Charges !!! :yikes:
you probably do alright to fill the void till a original comes around.

I've been considering possibly having to go that route myself, and if so I will get one from IMA-USA
they seem to have about the best deal going on those India remakes....

[HOOKED ON HISTORY]

IF you want a genuine no5 bayonet JC Militaria in the UK usually has them in stock, they may be pricey but i think your beautiful no5 deserves the real thing.

Have one listed as sold that would have matched my wood PERFECTLY!
mY LUCK.

[LesterH]

Keep away from these Indian made Snide No5 bayonets. Its easy to spot the fakes they don't have the oil hole in the mortise.
The going rate in the UK for a No5 bayonet is £150+.
The most expensive No5 bayonets are the single screw hand grips. Not many about the handles cracked.
The next most popular are the Cutlery manufacturers like Viners, Wilkinson Sword and Hopkinsons.
Poole RSAF made the No5 bayonet circa 1946 onwards.
Sterlings in Dagenham. Made the No5 Bayonet for the Stirling SMG. Their main subcontractor is Hopkinsons ( Look for the H stamping on the pommel). These tend to have a metal hand grip and can be mistaken for the SLR bayonet. I have a post 1982 production with the L1A4 blade. If you see Sterling stamped on the blade it's the commercial version . For the export market.
For an idea of value. I paid £125.00 for my average condition Viners No5 bayonet. I paid £90.00 for a mint 1946 Poole Ordnence Factory No5 bayonet ( a gun dealer owed me a favour). My Sterling No5 bayonet cost £100, which was bought in with a job lot.
JC Militaria in the UK are a trustworthy company to deal with. Their kit is expensive but genuine and good condition. ( I bought a long Garand bayonet from him).
Don't worry if you have not got a scabbard with your No5 bayonet. The No7,No9 and SLR bayonet scabbards fit. Ideally you want a pointed tip scabbard but it does not matter.
Cheapest way to get a mint scabbard? Purchase a British SLR bayonet & scabbard from Henry Krank for £25.00 ( If you are in the USA you will not need to pay the 20%vat). Another source is Worldwide Arms but they want £23 just for a scabbard!
If you loose the screw in the scabbard it's a 2BA. Availible from your nearest shop that sells gas boilers!
Any more info on the No5 just ask. Buy British buy the best bayonets! Lester

[Gunny Hooch]

Have one listed as sold that would have matched my wood PERFECTLY!
mY LUCK.

Yeah I saw that on JC Militaria, it looked like a real nice one

---------- Post added at 04:55 PM ---------- Previous post was at 04:52 PM ----------


Keep away from these Indian made Snide No5 bayonets. Its easy to spot the fakes they don't have the oil hole in the mortise.
The going rate in the UK for a No5 bayonet is £150+.
The most expensive No5 bayonets are the single screw hand grips. Not many about the handles cracked.
The next most popular are the Cutlery manufacturers like Viners, Wilkinson Sword and Hopkinsons.
Poole RSAF made the No5 bayonet circa 1946 onwards.
Sterlings in Dagenham. Made the No5 Bayonet for the Stirling SMG. Their main subcontractor is Hopkinsons ( Look for the H stamping on the pommel). These tend to have a metal hand grip and can be mistaken for the SLR bayonet. I have a post 1982 production with the L1A4 blade. If you see Sterling stamped on the blade it's the commercial version . For the export market.
For an idea of value. I paid £125.00 for my average condition Viners No5 bayonet. I paid £90.00 for a mint 1946 Poole Ordnence Factory No5 bayonet ( a gun dealer owed me a favour). My Sterling No5 bayonet cost £100, which was bought in with a job lot.
JC Militaria in the UK are a trustworthy company to deal with. Their kit is expensive but genuine and good condition. ( I bought a long Garand bayonet from him).
Don't worry if you have not got a scabbard with your No5 bayonet. The No7,No9 and SLR bayonet scabbards fit. Ideally you want a pointed tip scabbard but it does not matter.
Cheapest way to get a mint scabbard? Purchase a British SLR bayonet & scabbard from Henry Krank for £25.00 ( If you are in the USA you will not need to pay the 20%vat). Another source is Worldwide Arms but they want £23 just for a scabbard!
If you loose the screw in the scabbard it's a 2BA. Availible from your nearest shop that sells gas boilers!
Any more info on the No5 just ask. Buy British buy the best bayonets! Lester

Hey LesterH,
Personally THANKS for the great wealth of information. I just learned some more things about the No.5 Bayonet that I didnt know.
Goes to show, you can still teach a old dog :lol:
I also heard that a lot of those India remakes wouldnt fit that well on the Carbine, Ive never been able to find one in person,
but just repeating what I had read on some forums about their fitting problem....

[HOOKED ON HISTORY]

Thanks. Ask for a glass of water and get fine wine. Very informative.

[LesterH]

From a chat elsewhere. I was told those Indian No5s are made for the tourist trade!. Better to spend your money on a proper No5, then you can always get some money back if you need to sell on one day. A few years ago a lot of Stirling SMGs were deactivated, but I have not seen any large amounts of No5 bayonets come on to the market. If you read "The Guns Of Dagenham" there is a hint amourers kept No5 bayonets as an unofficial currency! Some one must have some spare No5 bayonets, they made one to go with each No5 rifle and Stirling SMG ( however the Canadians fitted the C1 SLR bayonet to theirs).

[Peter Laidler]

Where is the 2BA screw in the No5 scabbard? Surely the mouthpiece screw is a machine head 6BA screw....yes?

[LesterH]

A 2BA screw fitted, but I had to file it shorter! Got it at an auto jumble.Made the mistake of buying scabbards etc in parts and not fully finished. The SLR book quotes No.6 x 3/16in long. I attempt to restore stuff but i cant always find the parts! Took me 22 years to find a spare K98 scabbard! Resently I bought in a load of No9 bayonets in poor condition but with good scabbards and this has solved my problems.
No5 bayonets are getting harder to find. My first one was a Viners, in poor condition with out a scabbard. Thank you for the info Lester

[Peter Laidler]

Are you absolutely SURE about this 2BA mouthpiece screw assertation Lester? There MUST be a mistake............. I have probaly fitted several hundred + new mouthpieces to No5 scabbards over my years as an Armourer and it's a 6BA machine head screw. A 6BA screw will drop straight through a 2BA tapping size hole - yes?

Regarding the Indian No5 bayonets, those made for the Indian Army Sterling SMG's (and long and short L1A1's) are made from (virtually) identical steel spec as those made here. Just touch one on a grinder or subject one to a DPN test to see what I mean) I can't comment on the 'tourist' trade but certainly can vouch for the Army ones. Can you imagine Indian Army soldiers being given low carbon mild steel bayonets while fighting in the NorthWest of the Country............., they'd be a laughing stock. They're a bit rough and ready but to be honest, you can say the same about the dismal uinfinished guilloutined edges of Hopkinsons L1A1 efforts

[old-smithy]

I have decided I must complete my Number 5 "Jungle Carbine" with the appropriate bayonet.
I have bid in several on ebay but they are quite the hot item. I can not bring myself to spend more on an accessory than I did on a very nice Number 5. Any ideas where one could be purchased without me having to sell the rifle to buy it? Anyone have an opinion on the Indian remakes as to quality? I may be forced to purchase one until I can obtain an original.

If I knew where such a thing existed I woudl by it and sell it on! That is hwo it goes, the dealers get the cheap prices adn then sell at market value. Try buying the 1st pattern :o

[HOOKED ON HISTORY]

Were is a good place to view pictures/descriptions of the various patterns?

[old-smithy]

Try under the UK at BAyonet Collection Presentation (http://www.old-smithy.info) I have both versions there of the No5 UK and under India the others

[LesterH]

There is nothing wrong with the "proper" Indian Army specification No5 Bayonets. Ditto with their SLR and No9 bayonets. They tend to be longer than the British spec.
These Snide No5 bayonets on sale on various USA web sites for about USD45- 65 are rubbish. Unscruplus dealers are trying to pass them off as the real ones for £150+ in the UK. It's a hard hit when you spend £150 on an exhibit and find out it's worthless! That is why I am flagging the issue up.
I can't bottom out the 2BA screw issue. The two scabbards that I repaired are now living in Southern Ireland, members of a shooting club purchased some No9 bayonets from me. I was not saying you were wrong. It was just the parts I used to mend the scabbards. Of course it's better to use the correct parts if you have them. Which I did not.

[Peter Laidler]

Yep, point taken........ But if you're out there in the wide Bayonet collecting world, the correct screw for the No5, 7 etc etc scabbard mouthpiece is a 6-BA machine head (a sort of semi-rounded appearance and readily available on ebay under model engineering supplies). The brass or steel mouthpiece 6BA thread is easily stripped if you're a bit ham-fisted but you could easily machine out the oversize hole, soft solder a bush in place, re-drill and tap to get you out of a hole. We'd do it if we were pushed or awaiting spares but not as a general rule.

I mentioned in a thread some time ago but in Malaya in the 60's, we had loads of single screw No5 bayonets but the grips were always prone to cracking due to lack of support for the grips when twisted I imagine. We also had loads of grips too but with the one and two hole grips having the same part number, it was always a bit of hit or miss whether you got, say 10 left handed single hole and ten right handed two hole grips.

[HOOKED ON HISTORY]

Is this a number 6? Ring diameter seems too small.
eBay - New & used electronics, cars, apparel, collectibles, sporting goods & more at low prices (http://www.ebay.com/itm/200704455795?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649)

[LesterH]

Thanks for the info Peter. Regarding hand grips on No5 bayonets. I have a late produced Sterling No5 bayonet. Fitted as standard with metal hand grips. Similar to the grips on a L1a3 or 4 bayonet.
If any one needs some wood grips for their No5 bayonet ( two hole type). With a bit of cutting and redrilling you might get a set of 1907 bayonet grips to fit. Terry Abrams and Chelmsford Militaria. Have new wooden 1907 hand grips on sale for £7.50 a pair. Having had problems in the early part of my militaria collecting days, I tend to buy bayonet spare parts if they come on to the market, just in case!

Kind regards, Lester

[Peter Laidler]

Pattern 07 bayonet grips are much to thin to be of any use on the No5 bayonet. We did a big Ordnance trawl for No1 rifle parts for the L60 (the DP version of the No1 rifle) and unearthed a load of the grips wrongly catalogued as No5 grips but they were unuseable/useless! I seem to recall that we had loads of the grip screws and nuts too but these were the wrong length and thread

[LesterH]

Thanks for the note Peter. Looks like it's the old wood chisle and sand paper method then!

[tankhunter]

You will probably find one of the reasons for the N0.5 Bayonet being in short supply is this.
The British Government has Moved forward it's Policy of Not selling Weapons Etc Onto the Civillian Market.
Yes to Forigen M.O.D Departmets, subject to the Correct Paperwork. End user Cert's Etc.
I have Handled MANY Hundereds & Hundereds of Deactivated Sterling Mk IV S.M.Gs On the Civillian Circuit. As well as sold a LOT of them Myself.
They are ALWAYS a Sterling Comercial Weapon IE: A MK IV, & NOT a British L2A3.
Easyist thing to spot is Firstly, The BRITSH Service variant Had a Mod done to strengthen the Butt at the Circular 'U' / Yoke bend near the Middle.
Secondly: The Mag Housing will Be Marked with a UE/ UF/ Etc PREFIX to the serial Number.
The STERLING COMMERCIAL will be USUALLY Marked with a KR series PREFIX to the Number & the Butt Will NOT Have the Mod Plate welded in the Above mentioned Place.

The Brit Policy is to Guillotine or Gas Axe all Smallarms Not sold out of the Country. Or the same if not sold to a Dealer Here in the UK to be subsequently Exported OUT of here.

I know of a Dealer who is a Good Friend of Mine who knows of LOADS os SLR's sold to Germany. ALL EX Brit M.O.D. They will NOT sell to him for Re-importation to the UK.
Because, there was a Proviso in the sale deal. They can buy them, but they must NOT be re-imported. If they do this, they will NEVER be allowed to buy anything from the M.O.D again!

All that being said, I have taken possesion of a GENUINE Deactivated Fazakerly Manufactured L2A3 & is UF serial Number marked!
It must have 'Got out' early in it's life, because it did NOT have the Butt Mod done to it!
(It certainly DOES now!)
It is the ONLY One I have seen in Private hands. :cheers:

So, If they Cut up all the Obsolete Sterlings (Some MAY have been refurbed & gone into War Reserve) Then it stands to reason that the Bayonets as 'Weapons' MAY have also been destroyed as well.
Museums will have been offered some as the 'Norm' over here before destruction (Peter can confirm this)
The ONLY thing in quantity that HAS been released, is the webbing slings!
Even the cleaning kits are NOT about in the quantities that they should be if officially released. (Unlike the SLR Kits!)

This MAY go some way to explain the shortage in Collectors terms. Of WHY the No.5 Bayonet is not seen commonly on the Militaria Circuit.
Unlike the SLR Bayonets, Magazines, slings, Cleaning kits Etc. Which WERE Officially released onto the Civillian Market to Appropriate Licensed Dealers.

[LesterH]

Thank you for the above post. this disposal policy may explain why British Army Militaria and D/A weapons are rapidly rising in value. At a time when the Government is skint. They could sell No5 bayonets to UK dealers , for a tidy sum for each one. Instead of getting £150 a tonne scrap metal. We as British Tax payers bought this equipment. So we should be able to use it. They would get more money than scrap value for an SLR rifle or Stirling SMG if they sold them to a D/A gun dealer. My SLR cost £300 D/A and My Stirling,Stirling cost £270!
Apologies to every one for moaning.

Kind regards, Lester

[HOOKED ON HISTORY]

Apologies to every one for moaning.
No apologies required.
You are trying to apply common sence that you and I use every day to political decisions which by there very nature are devoid of All common sence.
I do it too. It just makes my head hurt.

[tankhunter]

The British Govermnet does not opperate on Commonsense! Never has done as far as Im aware!
As for your thought on what a waste it is to destroy anything Weapon related rather than sell it on for VERY viable returns!

They are NOT interested! If it's to do with Weapons = Cut it up. It does NOT matter how much you would get back from it finacially WHATSOEVER!

Government Logic: = Destroy ANY smallarms. & you WONT have any Crime caused through them!!!

Criminal Logic: = We will buy out of the country, Ex COMBLOC AK 47s for a Fiver each. Solution EASY!........................:banghead:

I visited a HUGE Complex Shed at Donnington once in the course of an Official visit when I was on duty. Next to the main smallarms workshop, was a long hanger with twenty six foot tables in lines.
On these tables were Artillery Lugers, Colt 1911A1's, Mauser Broom handled pistole WITH wooden stocks, S&W Revolvers Etc Etc. NEW Boxed double barrel 12 Bore shotguns & the like.

I enquired what these were for. 'Destruction' I was informed.'they are a TYPICAL batch which we get fortnightly from the Police & mainly seizures in Northern Ireland'. I said, 'What about getting the Mausers Lugers Etc. All the RARE stuff sold onto Dealers & proof tested & then they are 'on the books, legal, & traceable'. The proceeds from these sales could go into Service Charities to benifit Ex Servicemen & help the charites themsleves. all good stuff'.
'Nope' I was told. 'Government policy is. Offer them to Museums Etc for free. If they already have an example of whatever is offered them. They dont need any of the same. Then what is left (Almost ALL of the Guns) is to be Cut up & put in the smelting furnace'!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I said, 'Dont they realise that important pieces if History are being vandalised here like this'? 'Yep, & they are NOT interested'............................

They also implimented the policy of Guillotining then smelting all the L4A3 & A4 7.62mm Converted Bren LMGs as well. This would explain the SERIOUS shortage of these Historic weapons on the Civvy Deact Market!

Just about sums up what I have said previously, dosent it?..........................:(

[peregrinvs]

The ONLY thing in quantity that HAS been released, is the webbing slings!
I had noticed there seem to be a lot of unissued ones kicking about at the moment. Sadly far more than there are guns to put them on.

Although this isn't a problem for one 'enterprising' eBay seller...

WW2 1941 BRITISH MK 2 BREN GUN M.E.C.O 1944 WEBB SLING | eBay (http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/WW2-1941-BRITISH-MK-2-BREN-GUN-M-E-C-O-1944-WEBB-SLING-/250994225549?pt=UK_Collectables_Militaria_LE&hash=item3a706bf18d)

[tankhunter]

How would you discribe a 'LOT' pereginvs?

The link to the 'Enterprising Seller' also shows quite few inaccurate discriptions of his (Mainly Government surplus) listings! Cevat Emptor = Let the Buyer Beware!......

[peregrinvs]

How would you discribe a 'LOT' pereginvs?

As in there's no current lack of them for sale on eBay / online / at militaria fairs. I probably ought to get one whilst this is still the case. ;)

[Aragorn243]

Well after watching one quickly rise to over $350 on ebay this week and still not sold, I found a repro at a gun show today and purchased it for the tidy sum of $20. That was the selling point. Dealer assured me it would fit on my rifle (it didn't) but for that minimal price I figured I'd take a chance so I can at least show people what they look like.

After about 15 minutes with a piece of sandpaper and a 3/8 inch drill bit, it now fits perfectly on my rifle. I spent about another 40 minutes sanding off all the finish from the blade and neatening it up and am currently stripping the finish off the handle. For $20, it looks extremely good. It will do until I can luck across one at a yard sale or find someone interested in trading for my 1918 marked 1917 US Enfiled bayonet.

[HOOKED ON HISTORY]

I have been watching every one on e-bay. Without loads of cash and sniping software I do not think we are going to get one there. The things are selling for slightly less than I paid for each of my two No 5 Mk 1s. That being said they both really need a pointy end so the search continues.

[HOOKED ON HISTORY]

My search will not end here.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=190649890259&ssPageName=ADME:B:WNA:US:1123

[Aragorn243]

Yep, that's the one I was talking about. I have been watching ebay for close to a year and a half now. They just keep going up and up. I have not seen one at a show in a year either. The last one I saw was one year ago this weekend and was being sold with the rifle only. Tried to make a deal with him but he wouldn't budge.

I finished up the repro last night and I'm happy with it. As happy as you can with a repro I guess. It fits perfectly after the bit of fine tuning I made and looks correct. I'm going to be doing a presentation on WWI and WWII rifles in two months and this was the only bayonet I was missing for the rifles I have. I paid less for my rifle than a lot of these bayonets are going for.

[old-smithy]

The interstign thing here is that it is the rifle guys who have forced the price up to what it is, when i started seriously i coudl have got a MkI for less than people now pay for the MkII but that was way out of my $100 limit at the time.

---------- Post added at 07:12 AM ---------- Previous post was at 07:10 AM ----------

Funny it is you rifle collectors that have forced the price to where it is now, the MkI's were the price the MkII's are now a few years ago. Heaven help that us bayonet collecotrs start wanting a bayonet mount for each of our blades! anyone have a 3 or 4 hundred K98's, 1888's and SMLE's going cheap?

[LesterH]

That is a very fair comment about the rifle guys putting the price of bayonets up. I use to be able to go to arms fairs at Bisley and get bayonets for nearly half price than at Militaria shows. I could get British 1907 bayonets in excellent condition for about £35.00. Now they want £75.00! It seems the live fire dealers did not want to make much money on bayonets a few years ago.
I do have a few D/A rifles to show how bayonets fit etc. Most of my collection is hanging on the picture rail of the living room if the scabbards have studs. Other than that the rest are on display in old wooden wine racks. My spares and duplicates live in a large ammo box.
Can only have D/A guns, I don't have a firearms licence!
My militaria collecting started when I was 18 years old and bought a rough K98 bayonet for £3.00 ,with no scabbard, at a church jumble sale. Then spent 22 years+ looking for a spare scabbard. Bought a lot of old toot along the way! Now fills two rooms.
You know what it's like! Lester

[HOOKED ON HISTORY]

Now Now lets not cast stones. I have seen some of your bayonet collection photos posted here. I for one will not toss any accusations in the direction of those of you here who collect only pointy ends as I appreciate your paticular expertice. That said. Quit hoarding those bayonets for my No 5s.

[peregrinvs]

or find someone interested in trading for my 1918 marked 1917 US Enfiled bayonet.
Out of interest, what are they currently worth? I have one I bought about 10 years ago. No plans to sell - just curious.
Thanks,
Mark

[Aragorn243]

Out of interest, what are they currently worth? I have one I bought about 10 years ago. No plans to sell - just curious.
Thanks,
Mark

No idea. The 1917 marked ones seem to go for anywhere between $125 and $175, the Vietnam era seem to go for more than that. I haven't seen a 1918 marked one for sale.

As for rifle guys driving up the prices, probably to a small degree but I don't see them driving the prices up this high. Few rifle guys are interested in paying more for the bayonet than they paid for the rifle. Add into that the various markings and condition factors and I'm willing to bet that it is serious hardcore bayonet collectors that are driving up these specific prices. They were bringing about $100 16 months ago, then hit $160 about a year ago and now we seem to be in the $250-$375 range.

Case in point the 1917 bayonets. As a casual collector, I see no reason at all why a Vietnam era bayonet is bringing more than the original WWI issue. They are not as well made, they have the plastic grips, etc. Numbers may be fewer, I don't know but I expect it is guys who served in Vietnam that remember them that are driving up prices on that specific model.

[HOOKED ON HISTORY]

I think e-bay is the main culprit in driving up prices. Seems a bit a bit of a double edge bayonet (if you will allow a pun). Easy access to a world wide market for objects that in the not to distant past you had to devote some effort to find. The Arisaka,k98,Garand etc.. bayonets are all climbing in price as well. I for one will not pay close to or above rifle prices for a bayonet even though I concider some of my rifles incomplete without them. Perhaps perseverance will pay off in my search for those I am missing.

[Aragorn243]

I think e-bay is the main culprit in driving up prices.

It is a distinct possibility although in other areas, I've found ebay to lower prices on some items. Books for example. I can generally with patience get books for significantly less on ebay than anywhere else other than a yard sale. Most antique dealers I've talked with despise ebay although they have begun to embrace it for use themselves. Ebay was again driving the prices lower than they were selling in their little shops. More people are able to get rid of things they may otherwise just let sit.

I have bought a few bayonets off ebay, nothing fancy but I have noticed that the better ones seem to sell extremely well. More than I'm interested in paying and I doubt that there are that many rifle collectors trying to get some of those more obscure types.

The Jungle Carbine may simply be the perfect storm. It is a very popular rifle to begin with, so much so that they made reproductions of it out of perfectly serviceable No 4's. The rifle just has "the look" that guys seem to want. The bayonet has "the look" as well and again, highly reproduced for that reason. Add to it that the bayonets were kept in service on another rifle after the No 5 was removed from service and that some were also converted to another type handle and the numbers have been both reduced and separated from the original rifle. Now the final piece being the decision by the British government to destroy stocks on hand rather than sell them and all those thousands of bayonets used for the secondary rifle are gone for good.

[gew8805]

Who knows who drives the prices up? 20 years ago you could buy a No. 5 bayonet easily for $25 - $35 when they were available, about the same as you paid for a US M1905 bayo for the '03 Springfield. Of course at that time you could find M1917 and P13 bayonets literally by the bucketful at any flea market and you didn't even consider paying more than $12 for them IF they had the scabbard. Without scabbards they sold for no more than $9. P07 bayonets went for the same.

Time marches on.....;)

[LesterH]

Hooked on History. I am not hording bayonets. They are all different. It's not totally my fault I ended up with three No5 bayonets. I put the word out I was looking for a nice No5 to go on the end of my Stirling SMG and three came up at once!

[HOOKED ON HISTORY]

Hooked on History. I am not hording bayonets. They are all different. It's not totally my fault I ended up with three No5 bayonets. I put the word out I was looking for a nice No5 to go on the end of my Stirling SMG and three came up at once!

The hoarding part was tounge in cheek and your posts specificlly have proved very helpful in my bayonet research.

[HOOKED ON HISTORY]

Time marches on.....
Here is a bit of evidence to support that statement.

[old-smithy]

My collection consists almost entirely of distinctly different bayonets (to me any way ;-) ) Different makers, and different user countries maybe but usually different marks and models. I have both variations of the UK no5 and a couple of Indian ones the list of ones I want is so long I cannot afford multiples for multiples sake. But then some people collect the different years or unit marks and can build huge collections of one type that way. I have about 60 07's but most are "different" .

When the last lot of "new" 1905 US rifles got released prices rocketed for mint conditioearlyry 05's and that was not driven by bayonet collectors. Evertimeem there is a release of new rifles onto the US market prices soar for tbladeses to fit them and then drop back once that itch got scratched and prices return to the earlier levels- or almostUnfortunatelyly that means good examples leave the bayoneworldrl and collections and become eye candy on a rifle collection, usually (but not always) on one of an owner with no interest in the blade as anything other than aaccoutrementnt

[Aragorn243]

There has been no influx of No 5 Jungle carbines on the market in the US. They are few and far between on the market so again, hard to say it is the rifle guys driving up the price.

I must say I just can't agree at all with your last statement. I don't care if you're a bayonet collector or a rifle collector, the proper place for a bayonet is with it's corresponding rifle. That is how they were issued and it is the reason they were created in the first place.

You say you have 60 07 bayonets because you collect variations of the same. A rifle collector is only going to have one for each rifle and more than likely isn't concerned with the variation other than it being correct for the timeframe of the rifle so again, doubtful it's rifle guys driving up prices.

Those that seek each variation of something are driving up the prices and that's the bayonet guys.

I collect both when I can and have no problems with anyone collecting anything in whatever manner they desire. It's just the way the world goes round and we all have to deal with it.

There is a third group that I don't think anyone mentioned and it is growing very fast and may be the key reason many rifles and bayonets are going up and that is the re-enactors. They are growing in numbers that is hard to believe in my area. On the good side, the majority seem to be young people who are interested in learning and preserving history.

[peregrinvs]

For me it proves that (a) a collectable is worth what someone is prepared to pay for it; and (b) there's no arguing with the laws of supply and demand. I certainly don't think that it's anyone's 'fault' that prices are going up - it's just the way the world works.

Still, I'm very glad I bought my unremarkable example of a No.5 bayonet 12 years ago when they could still be had for south of £50 in the UK. It's one of various things I am glad I bought 'back in the day' as they are now worth a lot more than what I paid for them. The trade off is that there are an increasing number of things I would like for my collection, but cannot afford. C'est la vie...

[gew8805]

The last import of No. 5 Rifles was about 5 or 10 years ago. They came in from, I think, Malaysia, and the bayonets took a jump in price at that time.

[LesterH]

Hooked on History. No problem at all. I have lots of bayonets and you are welcome to ask me questions. Wish I could have some of these rifles in the old advert at those prices. Add a nought at least for todays prices.
About four years ago a lot of D/A Crackle finish Stirling SMGs came onto the market ( from the middle East?) I expected a lot of No5 bayonets to appear. The No5 bayonet is still in short supply. Thus I think a) There were none to release or b) The dealers are hanging on to them and drip feeding them into the market place as the prices rise. Just my theory.
Kind regards, Lester

[HOOKED ON HISTORY]

LESTERH
I am perserverent if nothing else. I will eventually find one,well acutally need two now as I aquired another No5. I wish they were as prevelent as tha Arisaka bayonets but alas the search is half the fun. Are the Sterling ones the shiny (unblued) ones?

[LesterH]

Yes. My Sterling No5 bayonet is a late one circa 1984. All metal rivetted handle, L1A2 shaped blade. [H] stamping for Hopkinsons. Sterling is NOT stamped on the silver blade. Which confirms it is British Forces issue. ( looks more like a SLR L1A4 bayonet).

For your No5 rifle if it's 1944 to 48, you need a Wilkinson Sword, Viners Cutlery N97 Stamp, Elkington ( Not many made) or a Poole Ordenence Factory (P) date stamp. I prefer Poole made bayonets. The stamping on Poole bayonets (P)1946, are often feint and covered by blueing. KEEP AWAY FROM P.O.F. These are Packistan Ordenence Factory and are very often fake. Look for the oil hole in the pommel. The fakes don't have this hole(yet).

You will also desire a pointed tip scabbard with a brass throat piece. But any No5,No7,No8,No9 or SLR scabbard will fit.

Buy a genuine British No5 bayonet. Yes you will pay a hell of a lot of money, but in the time you own it the price will go up and you will get good money back in the future.

Fakes are only worth it if you are paying £10. The common price is about $65 and they are not worth that! As suggested in previous posts. These POF No5s are made for the tourist market.
RFI Indian made bayonets should be good and are often found to have blades approx 2" longer than the equiverlent British version.

Don't try and modify an SLR bayonet. It will not work and SLR bayonets are also going up in price.

Kind regards, Lester

[HOOKED ON HISTORY]

Lots of RFIs on E-bay ($60 to $95 US) along with the occasional original. SLR last week listed as a "Jungle Carbine" Bayonet. Sold for $215.18 US. Did not pay but $300 US for each of my No5s.

[Aragorn243]

Sarco is selling repros for $39 in their ads. That's what I picked up at the gun show on Saturday but they only wanted $20 for it there. I'm very pleased with it after working on it a bit and it will do until I can find an original that I can afford.

[HOOKED ON HISTORY]

Need a few other Sarco bits for other projects. Why not?

[Aragorn243]

Here are some photos of the Sarco repro, this is after I worked on it for a bit. What you can expect new is a fully blued blade. I sanded that off. The grooves in the fuller edges are a bit rough, I filed those out. The ring did not quite fit the suppressor, needed sanded out just a tiny bit. The round groove did not quite fit the bayonet lug. It went on, just not far enough. That I drilled out with I believe a 3/8ths inch bit. Then it fit perfectly. It's not loose, it's very tight. Has to be tapped with your hand to get it off. The barrel ring was out of round on the outside, not the inside, just the outside. That I ground off. The screws and nuts were sanded down when they sanded the handle so they need some serious work to get the rounded edges off. I got most of it off, but not all, I still need to work on them a bit, they need ground flat. I stripped the original finish off the handle, sanded it a bit and put two coats of linseed oil on it. It does not have the oil hole. I cold blued the parts of the fuller that I ground off.

http://www.milsurps.com/images/imported/2012/03/DSC_2939-1.jpg

http://www.milsurps.com/images/imported/2012/03/DSC_2938-1.jpg

http://www.milsurps.com/images/imported/2012/03/DSC_2940-1.jpg

http://www.milsurps.com/images/imported/2012/03/DSC_2941-1.jpg

http://www.milsurps.com/images/imported/2012/03/DSC_2942-1.jpg

http://www.milsurps.com/images/imported/2012/03/DSC_2943-1.jpg

[HOOKED ON HISTORY]

Nice work. I would let one of those keep my No5s company until the real thing appears.

[LesterH]

Suggestion. I have three No5 bayonets 1945-1985+/-. The Sterling which is the newest is the worst/ too tight fit on my Sterling SMG. Close examination of the other two No5s reveals a bit of gentle sanding and filing. These are a much better fit. It might be the case you has to fettle the bayonet to your rifle, However I have never had this problem with 1907, No4,No7,No9 or SLR bayonets. While you have the tools out drill the oil hole in the pommel. Will not look too fake then!
Scabbard looks good. Any makers marks?

[Aragorn243]

No makers marks that I can see. I had the scabbard apart, there are three parts, the brass cap, which fits inside the double spring piece which is brazed in two places. Seemed kind of odd to me, figured it would be cheaper to have it all one stamped piece of metal folded around on itself. I'm thinking about drilling the oil hole but I'm not trying to pass it off as the real thing. There is a hole in the tip of the scabbard for drainage.

[Peter Laidler]

In the standard UK made scabbards, the mouthpiece spring is a one piece pressing rolled around to the curvature of the scabbard. If you want a new UK Military spec spring and mouthpiece, just ask.

The crosspiece looks tooooo thin..., painfully thin! Or is it just the angle of the photo.

70,000 of those bayonets were earmarked for War Reserve along with the L2 SMG's. Alas they were chopped along with the guns

[Aragorn243]

I have a diagram of the mouthpiece spring, this definitely is not it. The cross guard might be thinner than the real deal but not by too much. I compared it to photos and while that isn't precise by any means, it might be a 32nd of an inch, 16th max. The way they polished it, they rounded the edges a bit.

It isn't the real deal but aside from the lousy finish, the quality of the basic bayonet isn't bad. The steel seems to be good, not soft, it doesn't polish or file easily. I have not been able to get the handguards off. I think they may have glued them on there in addition to the screws but it could just be a tight fit. From the photos, they may be a bit small, they don't extend beyond the metal at all.

[HOOKED ON HISTORY]

70,000 of those bayonets were earmarked for War Reserve along with the L2 SMG's. Alas they were chopped along with the guns

OUCH! That hurt.

[LesterH]

The late 1940's No5 bayonets were not that smartly finished from new. I would say the 1980's Sterling No5 bayonet was twice the quality. However this was made in a modern factory in peace time conditions. Most unhappy to hear 70,000 war reserve No5's got chopped for scrap. They would have got more than scrap value if they had sold them to bayonet collectors. As a British tax payer who paid for these bayonets in the first place. They could have retired a few for free into my collection!!!! I paid £270.00 for my D/A Sterling SMG in crackle finish. Had to make do with an export commercial version.Would have prefered to own a British armed forces version.

[Aragorn243]

I was working on the repro blade yesterday and managed to break the one half of the grip. Not a huge deal as I was planning to replace them anyway as they seemed undersized. Found a piece of walnut and made new grips for it yesterday and installed them and drilled the hole through the pommel. The blade is unsharpened. Essentially, it has a flat edge to it common to some other bayonets that I have. I've looked at some photos but couldn't tell for sure if these are supposed to have an edge on them or not. As it was supposed to act as a knife as well as a bayonet, I would imagine it should have an edge on it but don't want to put one there until I know for sure. Does the No 5 come with an edge, did soldiers sharpen it or is it supposed to be unsharpened like other bayonets.

[LesterH]

Looked at my mint No5 and No9 Poole Ordenence Factory bayonets, Enfield No9 , BSA SLR and Sterling No5 bayonets. All are unsharpened when new. My Viners Cutlery No5 circa 1944/5 has been sharpened. This one did see service. I only tend to sharpen beyonets theat need restoration due to rust or dents in the blade. I did sharpen up a worn SLR bayonet. Not actually a very good knife. I used a sharpening steel and then buffed it up on my polishing machine ( DO NOT USE A GRIND STONE TO SHARPEN). You would be better off buying a Frost Moyra knife for £10 rather than spending several evenings down the shed.

[Aragorn243]

I don't want it for a knife, just want it to look as correct as possible. I'll let it unsharpened. I have a No 9 and it is sharpened. I bought it still wrapped in the paper. Not sure what company made it.

[LesterH]

Examine No9 bayonet for the following stampings (P)1949= Poole Ordenence Factory. ED54 (or similar)Enfield at Enfield Lock. RFI=India, P.O.F.= Pakistan. If you have a double edged blade and no stamping it's probably a South African ( modified Uzi bayonet). For No5 for correctness unsharpened is probably best.

[Aragorn243]

My No9 has an ED (combined) -51 and has several British acceptance "arrow" stamps on the blade, the catch release and the pommel. Blade isn't razor sharp but it definitely has an edge on it. It's also marked NO9Mk1. One other marking is like an umbrella with a 96 on the left side of the "handle" and a weird "J" on the right side. Looks closer to a fishhook. It came that way in the wax paper.

Here is the work in progress with the replacement handles I made for it. They are heavier than what was on it, maybe a bit too heavy in the middle now but they look about right on the edges. Let me know what you think.

http://www.milsurps.com/images/imported/2012/04/DSC_2944-1.jpg

http://www.milsurps.com/images/imported/2012/04/DSC_2945-1.jpg

And the No9

http://www.milsurps.com/images/imported/2012/04/DSC_2946-1.jpg

[Peter Laidler]

As Armourers responsible for looking after these bayonets, the blades were never sharp - as in doubling up as a razor but the edge was maintained so that it COULD be sharpened if and when the time/need arose. However, the edge didn't need to be razor sharp to do the job. The tip was sharp for jabbing and the edge was sharp enough to cut and hack as it would be when bayonet fighting.

The wood grips are a bit too 'full' Aragorn. Do you want a real one to copy?

[Aragorn243]

Peter,

I found a nice photo on the web last evening that is almost "lifesize". From that I was able to get a pretty good idea of how big it should be. I shaved about 3/16ths off the round portion and an 8th or so off the point where it contacts the cross piece. It looks pretty close now. I may take a bit more off of it when I get some time and I need to "round" it a bit more along the edges but I'm getting pretty happy with it. Thanks for the offer though.

[Aragorn243]

I hope I'm not regretting this decision in a week or so but I took a chance on an ebay #5 tonight. Looks to be well used. A fellow put four of them up and they were only getting one bid except the first, a WSC. Second one had a number code, (and is the one I got), third was a Poole and the fourth a WSC. Looked it up afterwards and turns out the one I bought is an Elkington. Blade looks to have been sharpened but really hard to tell for sure from the pics. Handle looked better than the other three, pommel and cross guard metal looked good. The purchase does have ebay's guarantee so it if's a repro, I should get my money back. Makes me nervous after the fact that this one was the only one of the three no one else bid on. It looks good to me from what I can see but photos can be deceiving. Markings match known examples I could find on the net.

[HOOKED ON HISTORY]

I hope I'm not regretting this decision in a week or so but I took a chance on an ebay #5 tonight. Looks to be well used. A fellow put four of them up and they were only getting one bid except the first, a WSC. Second one had a number code, (and is the one I got), third was a Poole and the fourth a WSC. Looked it up afterwards and turns out the one I bought is an Elkington. Blade looks to have been sharpened but really hard to tell for sure from the pics. Handle looked better than the other three, pommel and cross guard metal looked good. The purchase does have ebay's guarantee so it if's a repro, I should get my money back. Makes me nervous after the fact that this one was the only one of the three no one else bid on. It looks good to me from what I can see but photos can be deceiving. Markings match known examples I could find on the net.
I am glad you scores one of those ,I had them bookmarked but was out of computer range yesterday and could not bid. They all went for relitively reasonalble prices.. Glad at least one went to a good home.

[Aragorn243]

Relatively reasonable is relative I suppose. My personal limit was $160 and I exceeded that by $5 because on watching these and looking for these for the last two years, I honestly don't see much chance of getting one for less unless I happen to luck into one at a yard sale or something and chances of that are slim. I most certainly am NOT paying $250-$350 for one which is where they have been selling for the last few months.

I did not decide to bid on that until there were 6 seconds left and I entered the minimum bid. Possibly the weirdest auction I've ever completed. I never figured there would still be one without a bid at that point. Had my hopes that with 4 up within about 8 minutes of each other and all in close to the same sort of shape that they would go "low" and they did.

Kind of happy that I scored the rarest of them, possibly balances out the condition for the price I paid more than the other three.

[HOOKED ON HISTORY]

You have me to thank. I have never one any popular item on e-bay without snipeing (waiting to the last second). If I would have been bidding I am sure with my luck $250 +. Very few bids is quite unusual on the bayo for the No 5 Mk 1. One less compeditor perhaps I will score soon as well. Please let me know the condition when you recieve it. Perhaps an photo with the prize in ith propper position atop your No 5?

[Aragorn243]

Bayonet arrived today. It appears to be a properly marked Elkington. Pommel and cross guard look good, no pitting, most of the original finish. Blade appears to have been ground or sharpened at some point, and is from what I can tell, about an 8th inch short. I thought this was the case from the photos. Grips look pretty good but there is some separation of the joint on the bottom, about an 8th inch.

So it's been heavily used. I'm not sure I'm happy with the purchase at this point, awful lot of money, but I saw what I was getting so I'm not complaining. It'll do until I find one at a yard sale. At least it's the real deal.

[Aragorn243]

Photos:

I'll correct my initial report with nice old patina rather than original finish. Hard to tell if there is any finish on it or not.

http://www.milsurps.com/images/imported/2012/04/DSC_2962-1.jpg

http://www.milsurps.com/images/imported/2012/04/DSC_2961-1.jpg

http://www.milsurps.com/images/imported/2012/04/DSC_2963-1.jpg

http://www.milsurps.com/images/imported/2012/04/DSC_2964-1.jpg

http://www.milsurps.com/images/imported/2012/04/DSC_2965-1.jpg

Scabbard has no markings that I can find. Could be anywhere under that paint. Should the paint come off or should it stay on?

http://www.milsurps.com/images/imported/2012/04/DSC_2967-1.jpg

http://www.milsurps.com/images/imported/2012/04/DSC_2966-1.jpg

Has a nice brass tip on the end but the insert is steel.

http://www.milsurps.com/images/imported/2012/04/DSC_2968-1.jpg

http://www.milsurps.com/images/imported/2012/04/DSC_2969-1.jpg

And finally, where it's supposed to be once again:

http://www.milsurps.com/images/imported/2012/04/DSC_2960-1.jpg

http://www.milsurps.com/images/imported/2012/04/DSC_2959-1.jpg

[HOOKED ON HISTORY]

It' legit. Nice work. my search continues.

[LesterH]

You have a nice original bayonet with an early scabbard. I think I am correct when I say the No5 scabbards were blued and then painted. Perhaps leave it as it is or repaint it? A nice bayonet frog can also help to preserve the scabbard.

[gew8805]

My vote is to leave it alone. Quite frankly, it's fine just as it is.

[Aragorn243]

I was able to get the grips off of it last night after letting it sit with some Rem Oil on the screws. As I feared, the reason for the gap in the hand guard was a build up of rust. I got that off of it and put the hand guard back on. The gap is still there but it is a uniform 1/16th of an inch rather than the tapered large gap. I could see rust in there through the gap and thought that might be the problem. Grips are heavily oil soaked and must have trapped moisture in there.

I don't have a big issue with the paint other than it looks like it was put on by hand and I'd like to find the makers mark. There doesn't appear to be any rust forming under the paint and that's my main issue. I don't like rust much, want to control it as much as feasible.

Any ideas of what the large three digit number is? Unit, partial serial???

[gew8805]

Accountability number put on by the unit armorer so it could be kept track while on issue. The number was recorded as issued to a particular individual and that individual was responsible for it.

[Peter Laidler]

Why don't you do what any Armourers shop would do when a grotty bayonet and scabbard was returned to the Armoury. Strip it down, reassemble with the grip nuts and bolts and catch nut and bolt (less spring) bead blast it, phosphate it, paint the grip/handle black to a point 1/2" below the crosspiece, oven bake it, assemble with new (?) grips (- or make some new ones from beech or birch). Same with the scabbard but remove the mouthpiece spring and assemble the mouthpiece. If the screw thread is stripped and you haven't got a replacement, just drill oversize and soft solder in place an insert to re-drill and tap 6BA later.

Then you have a well used but perfectly serviceable bayonet that's just been returned to the unit from the REME workshops or Ordnance ready to give you another 40 years service. On the other hand, you could have a grotty old worn out, down at heel ex Indian Army bayonet that's shouting out misused and abused.

The makers mark of M/78 is on the pommell!

BDL with his facilities and spare parts could do that in a few moments.

[Aragorn243]

The rebuild would make the bayonet collector purists go nuts I'm sure.

I'm with you for the most part but I'm not planning to do anything to the bayonet other than light cleaning and rust control.

I know where the makers mark is on the bayonet, I'm looking for one on the scabbard, if it has one. I was told some do, some don't, don't know where to look.

[Peter Laidler]

I know exactly what you're saying about a refurb Aragorn but if it was a generally good condition as recently released bayonet, then I'd leave it too. But there's no shortage of old well used and worn rusty, badly painted ex Indian or any No5 bayonets. What there's not a lot of is still-in-XG297 grease as new Ordnance issued bayonets. Just my take on things

As a matter of interest, just to keep the thread of an interesting type of bayonet running a bit longer, anyone got any other opinions on the subject...........

[HOOKED ON HISTORY]

As a matter of interest, just to keep the thread of an interesting type of bayonet running a bit longer, anyone got any other opinions on the subject...........
I have an opinion. Darn things are too expensive and both my No 5's look naked without them. I am working on a rationalization to pay the piper for at least one.

[LesterH]

The price of Proper No5 bayonets is going through the roof. The same thing has happened with the No7 bayonet and SLR bayonets. To a lesser degree with British made No9 bayonets. I have been in the habit over the last few years of buying "mint" No9 bayonets just to get good condition No5 scabbards. Been laying in a few bayonet frogs as well.

I think if you want a particular bayonet, buy a good condition one, so that it can be sold on if required. Pay the current high price for a good British No5 bayonet. Yes they are too expensive but they will only get more expensive. I doubt the MOD will realease any more.

In the time I have been collecting bayonets. I have seen the No9 go from £5 to £35, The SLR from £7.50 to £45+. The No7 from £80 to £120+
One of the best methods to get good, rare and cheap(ish) bayonets is to ask around your local builders. You will be surprised what they throw away when they clear houses out!

Another tip. Some mint AK47, AKM and AK74 bayonets have come onto the open market. brand new, some are matching number. Going rate is £15 to £25 each. Could be worth buying a few in just to build a cheap AK series bayonet collection for less than £100. Plus they make a good field knife!
Hope the above is of interest. Kind regards, Lester

[Peter Laidler]

Horses mouth says that the MoD won't be releasing any more No5 bayonets, ever - because they ain't got none left nor L1's!

[LesterH]

Many thanks Peter. If any are found in a dark corner of the stores, please don't chop them up!

[peregrinvs]

Anyone remember the militaria shop 'Blunderbuss Antiques' in the West End of London? I got my No.7 there in the mid-1990s as a trade for 2 AK-47 bayonets.

No doubt the proprietor is still kicking himself. ;)

[LesterH]

Now, that was a good deal!

[tankhunter]

Anyone remember the militaria shop 'Blunderbuss Antiques' in the West End of London? I got my No.7 there in the mid-1990s as a trade for 2 AK-47 bayonets.

No doubt the proprietor is still kicking himself. ;)

The Proprietor is now dead!.........His son chris has contiued the bussines, albeit from a home location now. The shop premises is closed. I see him occasionaly the Chatham Militaria fair.

[peregrinvs]

[/B]

The Proprietor is now dead!.........His son chris has contiued the bussines, albeit from a home location now. The shop premises is closed. I see him occasionaly the Chatham Militaria fair.
That's a shame. I knew the business had gone virtual, but I didn't know the owner had shuffled off this mortal coil. I had some nice bits there over the years including an unissued 1940 dated Lee-Enfield sling and a mint Indian No1 MkII* bayonet. Sadly London is now a bit of a desert for militaria.

Back on the subject of No.5's, I got my one for IIRC £37 at the first Beltring I attended in 2000. Even then that wasn't a bad price, neither were they getting any more common and I was pleased to find it.

[tankhunter]

That's a shame. I knew the business had gone virtual, but I didn't know the owner had shuffled off this mortal coil. I had some nice bits there over the years including an unissued 1940 dated Lee-Enfield sling and a mint Indian No1 MkII* bayonet. Sadly London is now a bit of a desert for militaria.

Back on the subject of No.5's, I got my one for IIRC £37 at the first Beltring I attended in 2000. Even then that wasn't a bad price, neither were they getting any more common and I was pleased to find it.

I dont know about london being a bit of a 'Desert, for Militaria. There ARE however, PLENTY of Sharks there ready to bite your hand off for your money!!!.....
Yep, Tom Greenaway was a bit of a character back in the day! I fondly remember buying a 37mm German PAK 35/36 Anti-Tank Gun from him, & towing it home behind my Car!..................Happy Days!.....;)

[Aragorn243]

After a two week period with no Legit No 5 bayonets, ebay gets a Wilkinson in decent used condition and the bidding war goes to $350 almost immediately with several days left. Meanwhile a second one in better condition doesn't get much attention at all and sits at about $195.

[HOOKED ON HISTORY]

After a two week period with no Legit No 5 bayonets, ebay gets a Wilkinson in decent used condition and the bidding war goes to $350 almost immediately with several days left. Meanwhile a second one in better condition doesn't get much attention at all and sits at about $195.
I see I am not alone. The one downunder looks nice.

[Aragorn243]

The one down under looks like it may have been sharpened on a grinding wheel which may be why it isn't getting much attention. Otherwise, it looks a lot better than the $350 one which doesn't look that much better than the ones that sold for $160 or so a few weeks ago.

[HOOKED ON HISTORY]

It may have been polished as well. I would have to sell one of my No 5s to pay $350. The search continues. Your repro turned out nice.

[Aragorn243]

I never did post final photos of the repro. Did you get one? I thought I'd get rid of mine once I got the original but I like it too much I think. I got the extra wood off the handle and finally got all the excess metal that made things "out of round" on the handguard.

I'm kind of in a funk right now. All my rifles have matching bayonets. I don't have any money for a new rifle unless one pops up at Cabelas I can buy with my points. Everything I have is about as restored as it's going to get so I can't work on anything. My presentation is over so can't prepare for that. I could start trying to track down the bayonets of the rifles I eventually intend to get but the spark just isn't there when I don't already have the rifle.

I'm planning at some point to get a Gew 98, a French Lebel and MAS 36 (bayonet built in with those) and a Japanese Type 38 (takes the same bayonet as my Type 99 so not high priority bayonet wise). Also looking for the various Carcano models but already have bayonets for those with the exception of the folding type.

I think I'm going to stick with flea markets for a bit, maybe get some good luck at another of those.

[HOOKED ON HISTORY]

I think I'm going to stick with flea markets for a bit, maybe get some good luck at another of those.
I hope you did not use up all your good luck on the Cruciform Enfield bayonet.
The Arisaka bayonets are creeping up in price on e-bay but there seems to be the occasional deal.
Several no 7 Enfield Bayos lateley e-bayed lateley.
Unless I come across somthing else before I can get to CMP south a think I see a Garand in my future. But then the the bayonet search starts again. Still great fun and not as frustrating as golf.

[Aragorn243]

A CMP Garand is on my list as well. The wife is aware of it and has given preliminary approval but our funds are just too low right now. I don't really need a bayonet for it as I have one that will fit already but may pick one up anyway so one rifle doesn't go without. It's currently designated for an 03A3. But then again, I could more the 1913 to the 03A3, it doesn't have a rifle yet.

Massive yard sales here on Monday. Not sure I'm motivated enough to waste half the holiday going. Flea market there that will have bayonets but probably no bargains. Haven't found any at this particular one in half a dozen years. Never know though.

[HOOKED ON HISTORY]

You have inspired me to try some yardsales and or a flea market. I havent done either in years. I did buy a Belgian Browing 16 ga for $65 many moons ago at a garage sale. I can scrape up the $ for the Garand if I could just talk myself into driving 2 hours at 5AM on a Sat. morning to Anniston AL alone. None of my friends share my intrest in milsurps so I guess I will have to fly solo.

[Aragorn243]

A 2 hour drive is holding you back? If I had a CMP that close, I'd be there tomorrow. I'll have to buy mine through the mail unfortunately. I'm about due to head up to Cabela's. Probably won't find anything.

[HOOKED ON HISTORY]

A 2 hour drive is holding you back?

Yes ,and I am ashmed.

[Aragorn243]

Not seeing many bargains in the No 5 auctions lately. Some look very promising but by the time they are done, they aren't.

I did watch for and finally win a second Arisaka bayonet for my Type 38. No one bid on it which I thought surprising because these have been going for $90+ pretty consistently lately. Got it for $70 which I didn't feel was too bad as it's in pretty decent shape. Probably an early war production. Has everything but the hooked quillion.