The Frustrations of Not Buying When You Should

I'm kicking myself now for not picking up bayonets when I had the opportunity. Reasons varied but primarily were that at the time I didn't have the rifle and wasn't expecting to get one anytime soon. Now I have the rifles and can't get the bayonets. So think about it next time you walk by that flea market table and pass up on the bayonet.

It's getting harder and harder to find some of these. Did get lucky with a Polish Radom but the Martini 1887 (affordable) is no where to be found now. Lots on ebay pushing $200 and up.

Also grabbed a Madsen when the chance came up, probably never find the rifle for that one.

How do you think I feel missing a Lithgow quillion 07 for $175/AU at an auction 18 years ago I have seen them go for $1200.oo/AU whilst some have asked $5K for one. Bit like the Sniper T's, M82's L42's and so on yeah if only I had a H G Wells time machine I would be buying and travelling allot.

IMA have got the Martini Mk111 for $189

You are not alone in this boat.

Worldwide Arms have the Martini 1887 bayonet by Wilkinson with brass mounted leather scabbard for, if memory serves me correctly, £185 which I would consider a fair price for the condition they are in and that is why I purchased one from them a couple of years ago.

I've regretted not buying things plenty. I have also gathered things that were cheap even though I couldn't use them, in case I would be able to later. Like right now I have a Early Arisaka Type 30 bayonet, but no Arisaka to go with it... yet.

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Originally Posted by Eaglelord17

Like right now I have a Early Arisaka Type 30 bayonet, but no Arisaka to go with it... yet.

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I had that happen with a Swedish bayonet that I found rummaging through my Grandfather's basement. I was about 8 years old and in retrospect, this seems unusual, was permitted to keep and wear it whenever I felt like it, provided "I didn't try to sharpen it" or take it when we went to public places. Lacking the correct frog, my Grandfather used an awl to make a hole in an old leather belt for the scabbard stud and I had a rather impressive belt knife. For much of my childhood I would have that bayonet along on many of my adventures, chopping at various bits of wood and generally impressing my friends. In fact, one friend of mine was jealous enough that he had to have one too, and somehow ended up with a brand new Nella C7 bayonet and frog, no doubt liberated from nearby CFB Cornwallis, It was much nicer than my old Swede, but as a woods knife it was dull junk.

At some point the locking stud on mine became lost, but about 10 years later I bought an AG42, a rifle that the bayonet fits perfectly.

I see the 1887 Martini's for sale, trust me, I know all the current sources. I just don't consider $189 for a Nepal late bayonet reasonable. Yes, I may have to change my tune and I'm pretty close to doing it but considering I passed one up at a flea market just seven months ago for $100, that's where I'm at now.

I usually lurk around long enough to get a decent deal on things, the Radom for example, original muzzle ring for less than $150 delivered, with scabbard and visible markings.

The older I get, the less patient I am and more inclined to pay the higher prices. Still don't like it much.

Not too many more I'm after anymore in either the rifle or bayonet category but I keep having offers fall into my lap lately and having trouble passing them up.

I would have loved to have had a bayonet as a kid. Didn't get my first one until I was probably 26, a 1907 Wilkinson to go on my Woolworths No III. Was looking at it the other night and discovered it has a Canadian acceptance mark on it. And now the O C D in me is saying I have to get another one because my rifle isn't Canadian. And after that I have to get a Canadian rifle. It is a nightmare of my own concoction.

Glad I am not the only one with the affliction.

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Originally Posted by HOOKED ON HISTORY

Glad I am not the only one with the affliction.

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LOL, Here's the full story:

I finally decided to inventory my bayonets as they are getting out of hand and if anything happens to me, my kids and wife aren't going to have a clue. So I finished up the ones in my storage drawers (most are still not in there) and went upstairs to the "box". Pulled out the Wilkinson and am noting all the markings, etc. in my files and spotted what I believed to be the Canadian mark. Looked it up just to be sure and confirmed it. First reaction, COOL, it's the rarer Canadian version. That feeling of pleasure lasted all of about 10 seconds when I remembered the rifle is most definitely British, not Canadian and TECHNICALLY, they shouldn't go together. This was followed in rapid succession by "It's not hard to find a British 1907" and "they aren't that expensive" and then the oh crap moment, what to do with the Canadian bayonet. Luckily the OCD in me isn't that strong. I'll probably be able to control it at least until another deal falls into my lap.