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Can someone give me the name, or names of some good collector books. I have just recently got the bug for collecting bayos as I have quite a few that go to my rifles and it is now a bigger interest of mine. I am a novice collector and need some reference books for info. Can't always depend on sellers knowledge. Thanks in advance.
If you are after US Military I would recommend U. S. Military Knives Bayonets & Machetes book III and book IV by M.H. Cole. Not easy to find and $100+ each in good condition. He wrote two others, obviously I & II. These are pretty darn hard to find.
There is a compilation of the four books edited by Michael W. Silvey. Hardbound 335 pages with pictures and drawings. Doesn't have everything in the 1 through 4 books but great for the money. Here is one on ebay
U.S. Military Knives, Bayonets & Machetes by Michael W. Silvey and M. H. Cole... | eBay
I don't collect foriegn stuff.
Have fun,
Jim
THere is a fairly extensive bibliography of bayoent books on my site along with my personal assessment of ones to have. you can never have enough books and my library runs to around 300 not coutnign magaziens from the 3 collectos goups I am in - 2 french and the SABC.
Wow you weren't kidding about prices for the books!
Smithy- that site should be enough info for me at this stage of the game.
It is starting to look like the blades could cost more than the guns in some cases...
Thanks for the replies.
Yep the bayonet hangers are often cheaper than the blades, and $300 for a book coudl get a reasonable rifle to hang the blade on LOLMy book collection runs into 5 figures as even a new print will be $75-100 or more and the old ones get very pricey, the Bayonet book whcih was the bible at one time often fetches $300+ the original Keislings went up to $150 each or $600 for the set. I've seen Carters books fetch $3-400 and I paid $300 for Larry johnsons on Japanese blades, and it arrived in the origival unopened parcel with a $39.95 (ithink) lable
I picked up a relatively new book a few months back that wasn't expensive yet. "An Illustrated History of Bayonets" by Martin J. Brayley. It's a large size paperback, lots of photos, most in color. As a new collector, it has helped me out considerably. Does not go into great detail and probably does not have every bayonet made, especially the early ones, pre-1900. Does not cover values either. Has closeups of a lot of the markings, discusses variants and manufacturers, etc.
I agree with Aragon243s post. It's a good book for about £20.00. Values are omitted, but bayonets are going up in price. Always consider condition and rareity before parting with lots of money. If you buy a good condition bayonet you will always be able to sell it on.
Wikkipedia can be handy for Waffenette numbers etc. Buy what you like then you will never be dissappointed. For value buy resently made bayonets. Ontario and Eickhorn have their own web sites. My best source is the local builders. It's surprising what they find when they do up old houses.
Enjoy the hobby, Lester