1910 Sandersen Hooked Quillion Bayonet - Looking for help with authenticating

[TheAlpineWolf]

Hi Guys,

Picked up my first 1907 hooked quillon bayonet earlier this month and looking for information and opinions. Main questions are...

What are the significance/issue location denoted by the serial number on the guard? (I haven't seen this font before on a hookie)

Regarding the condition, what is the best option for conservation?

Value? (I paid $1000 AUD for it so just checking if I got ripped off )

Thanks for your help guys, your expertise is always greatly appreciated!
Best Regards,
Sam.

[browningautorifle]

Looks good to me. The serial number is just that, a tracking number. Issue would be recorded to an individual, maybe numbered to his rifle. I don't think you were ripped.

[ColinA]

Conservation means first and foremost "do no damage."
No cleaning or de-rusting would be the best choice (I.M.H.O.)
If you want to handle it or look at it just lightly oil it with a thin mineral oil. (NOT "spawn of satan" WD40!)

Long-term storage then do what the military did, cosmoline or wax-based coating. (Inspected occasionally.)

[TheAlpineWolf]

Hi ColinA And browningautorifle,
Thanks for your info and advice!
Any idea on the location of issue based off the font of serial number on guard? I was thinking SA or maybe NZ but not sure.
Re the conservation, I have seen far to many "reset" which is always a shame. My plan was to oil with some CRC long life, nothing too drastic such as boil and card.
Best Regards,
Sam.

[browningautorifle]

I see it has a "Sold out of service" marking...odd for me to see that. By the way, most any oil applied will dry after time and turn to a varnish type finish. I had a 1928 Thompson that had a nickel bolt, after a time of oil and no use the bolt looked yellow. Be aware. Easy to remove once it's seen though.

[RCS]

An old friend found this hooked quillion bayonet for me years ago at a remote gun show. It was among some Japanese bayonets. never been able to locate another one !

The unit markings are also shown too

[Alan de Enfield]

Conservation means first and foremost "do no damage."
No cleaning or de-rusting would be the best choice (I.M.H.O.)
If you want to handle it or look at it just lightly oil it with a thin mineral oil. (NOT "spawn of satan" WD40!)

Long-term storage then do what the military did, cosmoline or wax-based coating. (Inspected occasionally.)

The military instruction for bayonet preservation :

The protective covering (HS5773) was a Lanolin / Coal tar mixture as detailed below :

[Cottage Hill Bill]

Renaissance Wax is an excellent preservative coating for edged weapons. Developed for the British Museum for items in their collections. I live on the very humid Florida Gulf Coast where the average relative humidity is above 70%. My bayonets live in a non-air conditioned garage. Many have been there for 30+ years and are nicely rust free with a single application of Ren Wax. I rub some wax into a flannel 2" x 2" patch and use that as an applicator. Wipe on, allow to air dry for 10 minutes or so then buff gently with a lint free cloth. An old, well washed Tee shirt is perfect. When properly buffed the metal will have a very smooth feel and a slight shine. If it feels at all sticky, buff a bit more. I also use it on the machined surfaces of my wood working equipment like the top of the table saw, soles and sides of hand planes etc. Firearms I don't expect to shoot often or at all get a coat. While it seems a bit pricey, a very small amount goes a long way. In 32 years I'm on my second 7 ounce jar.

[CINDERS]

About the going rate for one in that cond I've seen Lithgow ones at $4k and everything in between, my friend years ago lucked onto one for $400 Aud just before the prices went south.

[browningautorifle]

I was given a cast off that had come from a museum somewhere, still had the inventory number on it. It came as a gift for graduating a particularly hard military course. When it sold in the '90s, it went with the collection of bayonets for the #1 Mk3 I had at no particular premium. They weren't as valued then, it was ten years after they shot up...