FN FAL Bayonet Country ID?

[Aragorn243]

Peter, These bayonets were evidently used by quite a few nations and this one could be from the UK but it appears there isn't any real hard data on markings. One fellow says only Belgium used serial numbers, which here we learn that Argentina also used them along with both wood and plastic grips. So it appears likely it will remain a mystery as to what nation used this particular one although current odds point toward Belgium.

[old-smithy]

Peter, I think the UK versions are all marked X2 or similar

[browningautorifle]

Apparently we trialed both types at first. Flash prongs/no prongs. They used to be available at Epps surplus in Winnipeg MB back in the '70s at about $10 CDN...in the grease with scabbard.

[Aragorn243]

They aren't selling for that now. I've been watching them for a while but not bidding because they have been going for $80+ most times and I'm not interested in paying that for a relatively modern, common bayonet. I got mine for a good bit less than that.

[browningautorifle]

They aren't selling for that now.

Agreed and I would never imply they would...I also have a hard time actually paying for something that was so common...take a 1907 blade for instance...or FN C1 bayonet.

[Peter Laidler]

I think that I've got one marked EX something or another - with wood grips. Plus another butchered during trials where someone cut the pommel off in order to section it to prove to the trials board the invalidity of the so called 'recoil neutralising' attachment system. So said - and don't quote me here....., that such a system would not affect the zeroing with the bayonet fitted. Any truth in this chaps?

To my physics and engineering train of thought, it's the weight of the bayonet AND the weight effect ON the recoil that affects the MPI! Just thinking out aloud as I tend to do.........

[old-smithy]

Peter

The biggest effect is that of changing the harmonics of the barrel this can make a big difference to where the barrel is when the bullet leaves it and hence where it is going. I have seen reports that the accuracy (in terms of grouping) was improved while the point of aim moved.

[Aragorn243]

Are FN C1 bayonets rare now? I got one a couple of years ago at a flea market. Didn't pay much for it. I'm not implying that the bayonets aren't worth what people are paying, it is the market, my interests are just generally "older". There are a pile of new bayonets I probably should be getting that I'm basically ignoring.

[browningautorifle]

Are FN C1 bayonets rare now?

No sir...just that here in Canada they've started to ask $100 or thereabouts for a bayonet I carried for the first 15 years...

[Aragorn243]

I spent 15 years in the Army and even deployed into a war zone and was never issued a bayonet. I don't think our unit even had any. We had M-16's, 1911's, grease guns, and 50 cals but no bayonets. Maybe I'm compensating now. I guess they figured if we needed bayonets, it was too late. We did have two moving pillboxes otherwise known as M88 recovery vehicles. They were a lot of fun.