Gauging interest in some bayonets

Good day all. I'm coming into possession of some bayonets and trying to get a sense of current values and interest. I've been away from dabbling in militaria for a while so I would appreciated some knowledgeable feedback. As you'll note in the pic, one is a run-of-the-mill No.4 spike bayonet though I can't be sure if it's British or Canadian until I pick it up, but my sense is that it's English. The SMLE bayonet is Australian. The one that took me aback was the No.7. As I said, it's been a while and from the prices I saw online, I was gobsmacked. Are they so uncommon as to command that kind of pricing? Any input would be more than appreciated.

Anything Australian has a premium and yes the No7's are getting those kinds of prices. You're best bet is to check ebay's sold listings for current prices. They look to be in very good condition which puts there prices at the top of the range.

I've been doing some research on the No.7 bayonets and from what I've seen, the scabbard on this one may well be from an Australian Owen bayonet. Almost all of the scabbards I saw mated to the No.7's were the metal ones that we find on the No.9 and FN bayonets as well. Any thoughts?

Yep my No 7 & 9 bayonets all came with the metal scabbard, I feel your No.7 is not in the correct scabbard but in this game nothing is impossible and everything is possible!
My 7 has the black bakerlite scales.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by lawrence_n

the scabbard on this one may well be from an Australian Owen bayonet.

---

Yes, could be. About 1980 a mass of bayonets came in through Century I think, or Alan Lever...and there was everything. Those scabbards were available, all the variants of the 1907 bayonets after the long model, #7, #9 bayonets...the red and black handles. They were all pretty cheap and I had a few select blades for my collection at the time. The leather scabbards came in all lengths too, they'd been fitted long times back too. Not just a recent thing. So, Owen, maybe... I got an Owen bayonet just before selling off my #1 Mk3 and it had that same scabbard, was about new.

To all of you who have responded thus far, thank you. Now, for your consideration, some good pics of what I've picked up. First off is the No.4 spike. Nothing special except that it's a Long Branch which commands a premium hereabouts due to the local connection. I couldn't find a LB stamp on the scabbard though. It's in very good shape and the latching mechanism works as it should, as indeed it does on all 3 bayonets. Secondly is a gorgeous Lithgow SMLE bayonet. The blade is pristine except for some drag marks where it's been in and out of the scabbard. It's a lovely deep blue/black (and no, it's not refinished) with the Lithgow shield and the numbers "3" and then '22 on the left side of the ricasso. On the left side of the ricasso is several different stamps of the 7 pointed star enclosing an "A", and inspectors stamps (I assume). The scales are stamped "SLAZ 56" and the scabbard is stamped "Mangrovite". Again, other than some very light surface rust which I've cleaned off, I've never seen a nicer one. I'd personally call it superior plus to excellent condition. The No.7 has a minor issue in some defection on the tip. Some dunce obviously tried to pry something and bent it. Not a big deal or complex fix, given that the tip isn't broken off, but it is a flaw nonetheless. On the right side of the ricasso, it's stamped "1946" and then a "P" in a circle (Pooley?). Enjoy the pics, let me know what you think and what do you guys feel would be fair market value?

It's reading more like an advert than a request for opinions. :lol:

The LB spike looks like it has been refurbed as I see rust pits under the finish.

It also has what appears to be a crack or split running all the way across the top, which would pretty much make it a tent peg or paint tin opener.

Marks on the scabbard?

The pitting on the blade of the No7 is fairly obvious and deep.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Surpmil

It's reading more like an advert than a request for opinions. :lol:

The LB spike looks like it has been refurbed as I see rust pits under the finish.

It also has what appears to be a crack or split running all the way across the top, which would pretty much make it a tent peg or paint tin opener.

Marks on the scabbard?

The pitting on the blade of the No7 is fairly obvious and deep.

---

Thank you. There is some pitting on the right side of the No.7 blade in the fuller, but it's not as deep as the pics make it seem. The biggest flaw is the deflection on the tip. The spike indeed has a split in it, which I hadn't noticed when I picked it up and the scabbard has absolutely no stamps of any kind that I could find, even with a magnifying glass. As to it sounding like an advert, short of being able to get them into someones hands, all I can do is provide pics and the best description I can.

The spike has no real collector value with the crack. I'm still able to get these at about $15 a pop in surplus stores and Long Branch doesn't make it special here. It's been refurbishes as pointed out.

The No7's blade has been polished after suffering rust. hurts it's collector value quite a bit. As nice examples are about $125.00 on these, I'd personally value this at less than $100 but there are those that won't notice the pitting and pay more. I still think the Lithgow is a very nice example. Probably in the $150-200 range.
42

No clearance hole on the 07 bayonet also a March 1922 build date nice...