1918 Trench Knife and Unidentified Bayonet

[rcathey]

Oh wise and generous fellows of the forum:

I'm going to an auction next week and they have a couple edged weapons I'd like some advice on.
One if clearly a trench knife. Is there any deadset way to determine if this is a real or fake?
The other is a US bayonet of some type. Garand??

Any help would be very much appreciated!

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Information

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[browningautorifle]

Yes, the bayonet is the M1 bayonet, offshoot of the 1905 bayonet and made specifically for the M1 rifle and continuing use on others that took this blade. Made later in the war after long blades were cut down... This one is American Fork and Hoe...they made lots. The trench knife looks good but I'll let the guys that collect them show you what's real and not...

[rcathey]

Thanks, Jim!
That's very helpful.
I'm seeing a huge variance in the price an American Fork and Hoe bayonet has sold for on eBay. What gives? Something to do with the scabbard, maybe?

[Tom in N.J.]

The trench knife, original or not, is a prohibited weapon here in New Jersey, USA. The AFW M1 bayonet is a common item, I paid US $40.00 for my like new one.

[rcathey]

The trench knife, original or not, is a prohibited weapon here in New Jersey, USA. The AFW M1 bayonet is a common item, I paid US $40.00 for my like new one.

That’s even curiouser. I saw a few go for nearly $400.
Real or fake, I’ll try to buy the trench knife. If it’s fake, I’ll drop $50 or so to keep it for myself. If it’s real, that changes things considerably haha.

[browningautorifle]

That’s even curiouser. I saw a few go for nearly $400.
Real or fake, I’ll try to buy the trench knife.

Both of those work. The trench can be neat as a repro if the buck is cheap. The bayonet has some variables but you'd have to show me the expensive one before I can say why...things aren't always what they seem, sometimes bidders are just silly too...

[rcathey]

Here ya go, Jim:

$102 - WWII US M1 Garand Bayonet American Fork and Hoe AFH With Scabbard WW2 | eBay

$355 - WWII US M1 Garand Bayonet American Fork and Hoe AFH With Scabbard WW2 USGI | eBay

The $355 one certainly looks cleaner but does condition matter THAT much?

[browningautorifle]

I couldn't see anything special in either case. The $100 is about right, or even a bit low for around here though...

[rcathey]

Just a couple of guys who both decided they needed it. I've seen it happen at live auctions more times than I could count. Thanks for the advice!
I spent an hour or so last night doing all the research I could on the trench knife. At this point in time, based solely on pictures, I'm leaning towards it being authentic. Once I have it in my mitts I'm about 90% sure I'll be able to tell with 90% confidence if it's real or not.
Here's hoping no one else there knows what it is.
I'll keep everyone updated!

[browningautorifle]

I'll be watching...