The cost was reasonable then and staggering now, except they're completely gone. The man that sold them too... Still then, I didn't have the cash to buy those scarce examples.
Printable View
Thanks to all who chipped in on this one, but the question still remains....do I leave it as is, or remove the paint? The actual blade is a fairly dark blue; sorry no pics, as I don't have a home computer or camera.
Photos would be helpful so we can see what you are talking about.
Blued blades were also used in India - in WW2. The painting began in the 1960th. You can see the same with the Indian short bladed SMLE bayonets. The following bayonet is a in WW2 used in India used P14. The false edge the only made with a few bayonets. Lot of India used P. 14 bayonets have no false edge but a white painted strip on the grip.
An I have the same prolem with the camera - the bluing is dark black, but the photos were made to show the false edge.
Shame I can't upload any photo's, but I've got the general idea. The paint is pretty shabby anyway, and literally peels off with a finger nail. I'll remove it and clean it up. Thanks once again for the tips.
I'm sure you know people with cameras or phones that take pictures?
Remove the Paint, they were blued, like Husk's example in post No19, (nice example) I've had a few in this condition in the past, I had an outstanding example many years ago, looked like it had just come off the production line.
Anything painted by the Indian Army needs to be removed and done in Suncorite or similar, I'm sure the Indians used the good stuff for there own use first, metal work around the house or push bikes etc and replaced it with a few gallon of thinned out cheap black gloss.