I am new member to the forum. I will try to attach a photograph of a Bayonet that I would like some information about. I believe it is an Australian bush bayonet but know very little more...
Many thanks
BrianAttachment 85769
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I am new member to the forum. I will try to attach a photograph of a Bayonet that I would like some information about. I believe it is an Australian bush bayonet but know very little more...
Many thanks
BrianAttachment 85769
Welcome to the forum.
Info from Skennertons British & Commonwealth Bayonets Page - 285 Australian section. (There a plenty of repro's floating about as well.)
In good condition they get anything from $800 ~ $1.5k/AU then again it is all dependent on how much the buyer wants the item and just how deep their pockets are.
They have the nickname "Smachetey" given the heft of the thing as a hand fighting weapon it would inflict a terrible wound like the knights of olden days with their swords.
You lucky duck...if it's real. I hope it is. I've only seen one original hereabouts and they're worth good bucks. Give us some nice clean close ups and we'll see what's what, shall we?
Some how, and call me a tad naive if you like, does anyone REALLY and truly believe that Brian doesn't know exactly what he's got? Especially given the small collection of bayonets also partially shown in the photo............
Hi I don't really know much, is this a fake or not I don't know.. There are more bayonets in Pops collection but most I can find on the Internet.. Before he died he told me that this bayonet was rare. I know no more.
thanks for the observation Peter..Attachment 85772
The need for good detailed pics is essential as these had very few markings read the burst on the pic I posted and go from there as there were only 3000+ units made then they are rare but as said plenty of repro's floating around
Old Smithy may chime in.
I've edited these 2 pictures from what was posted in post 1, if it's any help.
So, there are NO markings? Here's a thread fro war relics about the same bayonet. No blade markings on this one... Australian machete bayonet mk1
I've only ever seen one real one, last year there was one at the Birmingham International that a guy wanted £600 but it was a fake (I was told by another collector) Brian as your in the Midlands I'd take it to the next International and look out for Phil (bayonet man) and get an opinion.
There is another collector I know who could offer some advice. I wouldn't know were to start regarding price if it is the real deal......
The grips look a bit new to the rest of it and have been off in the past as the screws have the tell tale sign of a wrong screwdriver used, I'm not sure on the finishing of these but would guess the same as the Owen SMG bayonet, I've had a few of these and the finish is very dark parkerizing or Bluing
I saw a real one locally also but don't remember anything at all about details... I'd be careful too...if purchasing.
Sorry the colour is rubbish but the lighting was not ideal. I think they show the marks mentioned in the earlier post.
Attachment 85823Attachment 85822Attachment 85824Attachment 85825Attachment 85826Attachment 85827
Looks about right, from the pics. There are others here that will know for sure though.
On the basis of the serial number looking around about right and the crow's foot (up arrow) I'd be comfortable saying it's ridgey didge.
The last set of pics pretty well match what Skennerton spoke of in his description so it seems to be the real deal congrats they are a rare item and sought after by collectors bit like Hookies.
Would you need to remove this bayonet from the rifle before firing because, from the pictures, the blade edge looks to overhang the path that a bullet would take it the bayonet was attached to a rifle?
I have since sold the one I owned for many years. It was absolutely genuine (no scabbard) and had a serial number in the 1,000 range stamped on the pommel and Slazenger mark on the grips. From memory I think there was also a manufacturers stamp on the ricasso (OA?).
The last pics show the wear and tear on the Scabbard, which I would say is the real deal for sure, very hard to fake wear and tear specially on webbing and canvas, not saying it can't be done,..... today seen a Webley .455 webbing holster which looked the real deal until I seen the same in a brand new packet, it does make you think.....
But I would say it is the real deal on the scabbard but the bayonet...... if it is the real McCoy then I guess £1000- £1500....
No. The SMLE bayonet boss is well below the bore line and there is clearance over the swell in the blade.Quote:
Originally Posted by Flying10uk
Run a straight edge along that pic F10 using the pic boarder as a datum for level, the swelled portion lines up with about the bottom 1/8th of the bayonet boss hole so you could shoot the rifle, having fired the MkIII's with the sword bayonet attached I can assure you it alters the balance/geometry of the rifle quite significantly with that thing attached it would be like having a house brick tied to the muzzle.
Woodsy that's pretty unusual to have the OA but ties in as to where they were produced perhaps some enterprising examiner decided to stamp it anything is possible in the WWII production.
I was forgetting that it located on a separate boss and had visions of a bullet hitting the blade.Quote:
Originally Posted by Woodsy
WOW, this may confirm it to be real. Here is a link to an Australian ebay auction for a machete bayonet with the serial number 1 number below yours with the same markings. 4904 Yours reads to me 4905.
Well done.
WW 2 machete Bayonet For SMLE | eBay
Saving things like a link will be fruitless after the post is withdrawn. Pics remain for posterity.
Don't know if last pic is allowed, boss doesn't like it he'll get rid of it I'm sure...have a look...
Thread is a bit old.
Yes and the OP never really came back after getting it basically certified as genuine, they came, obtained, then left no more to ado!
Very. Saw one a couple days ago that was ten years old but the two that brought it back thought I was wrong for mentioning it. I just thought the comparison pics would be well placed here. Anyway, yes...old.Quote:
Originally Posted by Daan Kemp
Always worth revisiting old posts to learn again what we have forgotten.
.... PM sent to you. I was the buyer of the eBay listed m-1944 with the serial number 4904.Quote:
Originally Posted by Brian WM
Wow, and here is Machete No 4908 at an eye watering price.
ORIGINAL 1944 MK 1 WW2 AUSTRALIAN PARACHUTIST MACHETTE BAYONET w/ RMB SCABBARD | eBay
Thought I'd put the pics here for posterity... Seller quoted "This is one of the rarest of the Australian bayonets. It came from a NH estate. I've had it for a while but am thinning out some of my collection. Since it's the only Australian item I decided I could part with it. Authentic, original and in EXCELLENT condition. Made by Slazinger. both grip panels are SLAZ43 marked. RMB scabbard. It has small arrow stamp on side of blade as it should. Heavy bolo type blade. Measures approx. 16" Long with a 11 1/4" Blade. SN 4908. This would be hard to upgrade. There were only 3411 of these made with the first serial number being 3000. These were made late in the war and because it took so long to get to troops, it may be this was never even issued which would account for it's wonderful condition. "
Starting bid: US $1,225.00
I'll try to remember to post the selling price too.
I Know the ending of this Bayonet.........At the time the OP was asking for information, I contacted him, as this and others were his Father in Laws, the mother in law had insisted they go for auction rather than a dealer.Quote:
Originally Posted by CINDERS
Brian sent me a list of the lots etc and I sent a detailed price guide to him regarding some of the Lot numbers that he sent me, unfortunate the auction house wouldn't take any notice of Brian, as I advised him to place a few reserves on some of the collection etc.
Although the auction did go in his favour with some items.
The one in question (The Bush Bayonet) went for £500 not sure on the buyers fee but probably 25% ....... He sent me a PM and thanked me for my guide price's etc.
I was told the buyer was approached in the auction and offered £800........
A lesson for us all, may sound morbid but putting a price tag on our treasures would certainly help if the grim reaper knocks without warning, obviously to our other halves everything is always £25, £50 or a £100 etc when it was probably treble or more.
Our problem here is...will ANY of it be worth ANYTHING in a few years. The way they keep devaluing things in our line of interest...? I mean in my case.Quote:
Originally Posted by bigduke6
I don't know about you all but after my little swaray in Sept last year I have looked at what I have modestly amassed over 50 years of collecting different themes and items related to war and history including arms and ordnence.
I humbled myself looking just around my room and was aghast as to trying to value it some of it is intrinsic a few items for value increasing as they have done.
When I was well enough my wife and I spoke if I perch it and she has a legitimate point "I have no idea Ron of what things are worth that you have" and I felt really sad for my wife as not only will I be gone but the vultures will swoop as I know they will because they are collectors and will want to kill the pig by offering low ball figures.
I have about 2 trusted friends who could help her one an ex police sergeant the other I have been friends with for 40 years and he also collected but sold off his collection still it would be a daunting task for anyone as there is a heap squirelled away in sealed boxes all over the shed and inside.
So I'll ponder a bit, the second bit of metal in my heart has allevieated some or most of the pain and I don't get as breathless now, but I am still idling along as best I can though flash backs have not really gone away.
It's this place which keeps my spirits up when I feel dopwn as there is always something interesting and something to learn with good slpahes of humour thrown in thank goodness for milsurps.
Oh! yeah and a supportive wife who tolerates what she calls an ugly gun the No 1 MkIII and after 32 years together I cannot convince her otherwise and no I am not trading her in besides she is 13 years my junior:thup:
I was thinking about starting to put a tag on my guns too.
No-one in my family would know the value of most of my pieces, and even friends would be in deep trouble, because they are all mostly shooters, not collectors.
I'm a shooter too, but I took the direction of shooting collectible guns, so I'm somewhere in the middle, and so I put a few really nice pieces together.
Should anything unpleasant happen, all that stuff could be helpful if the value could be clear to everybody at home.
Thats the big problem with Firearms Jim, We all know its coming one day but when............ having the reaper walk past me last year was enough for me to have a good think about my hoard, its the smaller stuff that fits in draws etc that can be forgotten about but adds up to a small fortune, This is the stuff I,m sorting out now, certainly boosted my paypal account.Quote:
Originally Posted by browningautorifle
Added: A prime example this morning, looking at some scopes in cupboard, my other half said " I'd just throw them out" ........ thats a £1000 she would stick straight in the bin, thank god the bin doesnt close with a rifle inside.....
Seen far to much of that. My kids said "At least we know your stuff is worth money"...I just have to hope they can corner the right two guys to come in and clear it. I'm moving as much as I can right now.Quote:
Originally Posted by bigduke6