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I'm seeing more and more jungle carbine bayos for sale in as new cond and a large RFI stamped on one side of the blade being sold as the real thing for hundreds of dollars. They're also the same as the ones on Atlanta Cutlery for $65.
Are these genuine ww2 issue
Are they even RFI, India made?
Did RFI make jc bayos for ww2 at all?
Would that be No no and no?!
I thort so...new made repros selling as the real deal for 250 plus.
They're not original. They're being manufactured in India and imported by IMA. Atlanta Cutlery is a partner of Christiian Cramer.
I saw an RFI marked one that was like the repros, it was marked RFI 78 - any thoughts? Looked like a real one.
It probably was original. RFI made originals too. The fit and finish will be much nicer than the recent batches of imports. Plus they usually go on a rifle without any fitting. Some of the new ones are absolute crap but at $59, you get what you pay for.
Quote:
Originally Posted by RJW NZ
RFI made the bayonets after ww2. Most were used with the Sterling SMG.
Maybe it's time for someone with access to the real McCoy UK spec No5, a real RFI post war and a modern repro to test for the interchangeability of components to formulate an acid test. The Bog standard UK made should be the control sample of of course. And I assume that the TRUE RFI parts interchange with the UK bayonets. But do the modern repro parts interchange. If so, then there will be trouble in the future ascertaining where originality lies.
I don't know about interchangability Peter, but I think I'd be more bothered about the quality of the steel. Not that I'll be conducting any bayonet charges in the near (or distant) future, but are they made up from unfinished, proper bayonets, or are they just mild steel replicas?Quote:
Originally Posted by Peter Laidler
The one that I saw from IMA looked for all the world like a genuine post-war RFI but without the date stamp. It fitted straight on to a No5 with no problems. However the scabbard was not right. Compared to a genuine No9 scabbard (Which was all that I had available but is identical to a No5 scabbard.) it was the wrong shape and too long. The grips and grip screws were appallingly bad quality but I have come across that before on RFI bayonets.
In my opinion, that apart from the items noted, it was very good indeed which led me to believe that it may have been made up at Ishapore using at least partly old parts on hand in order to satisfy the market's demand for No5 bayonets. I have seen a great deal worse, including one (with nasty plastic grips and no markings) that would not actually fit a No5.
As has been said, it would be useful to see one against a UK production one. I'll try to arrange it at the next HBSA Fixed Bayonet competition shoot but sadly that is not until next year.