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This past weekend I picked up a 1895 dated Krag bayonet. I knew it looked different with some blueing in the blade. From what info I found about 10k or so were blued in 84 and 85 but the practice was stopped. How rare is this bayo, and what is it worth in overall good shape and unsharpened? Thanks.....
Pics help as there a people here that will help you and give you an honest opinion on the bayonet. As for price well whatever the buyer is willing to pay and how deep are their pockets, in the world of sales it's on the day and even then its nothing is guaranteed.
Krag bayonets have been sitting at about $100 for years. 1917 bayonets have been about the same but for some reason over the last 6 months have nearly doubled in price. A quick look at ebay this morning shows plenty of Krags with asking prices in the $150-$200 range but no takers. There are currently three that are under $100 that have active bidding and one buy it now at $99 with no takers. Specific dates are offered on all and none are 1895 dated. While that may make a difference with a small number of collectors, most probably aren't fussy about the date. The type of scabbard probably has a greater impact on price than the date.
I just purchased the bible on Krag Bayonets from Donald J. Hartman. I am still digging into it, there are a lot of details to nuances to this bayonet. He has a youtube video that might help. It is:
US Krag Bayonets by Presented Donald Hartman | Collector History Corner - YouTube
I do know if it is BLUED (and original) it is quite valuable/rare. They stopped bluing them at some point in 1895, if I recall correctly, because the bluing weakened the blade.
The book is a work of art. He also has a book on the Entrenching Tools from the Civil War to WW1, equally remarkable.
Note, I have no financial interest in this, just sharing the link.
DDonald J. Hartman
I hope that helps some.