questionable bayonet stamp on e-bay?
 

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...=p5197.c0.m619

The above link (I hope I pasted it right) is for a "new" condition m1 bayonet. This web site has taught me some things about E-bay. Look at the last picture and look at that stamp. What do you think? Forgery?

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...=STRK:MEWAX:IT

Sorry. Wrong link. Try this one

Although bayonets are not my area of expertise, I do own several. This looks correct in its markings but I believe it to have been ground/polished and reparked, (look at the "H" and the buff marks around it).
It you are looking to buy it for pristine condition I might be a little leery.

Thank you. I was thinking the same thing. Even the "US" on the scabbord looks different from others. It's hard to tell. There was so many different companies making them. You know, like Lugers :) I can't imagine going to the trouble of forging a bayonet, but maybe. That "H" doesn't look right at all. The buff marks make me even more concerned. I just can't be certain so I guess I'll stay away from it. THANKS!

I looked at your original URL and I don't like the look of that stamp either... :)

http://www.frogsbitehard.zoomshare.c...es/93-7-uc.JPG

Second auction is the same seller...Imagine that! A trove of unissued bayonets...

http://www.frogsbitehard.zoomshare.c.../20-7-afh2.JPG

Even an unissued bayonet would have been slid out of its scabbard enough times over the years to leave some scorring.

Someone got himself a new parkerizing kit!!

I'm not even close to being knowledgable on U.S. bayonets and cannot comment on this example. I will add that I know a Garand / M-1 Carbine collector who bought a crate of WWII / Korean War issue bayonets from a Nat'l Guard Armory. They were all NIB and in as issued condition. So it is possible, but a rare circumstance.

I am not by any means an expert on bayonet markings, but considering my 12 years of experience in Luger photo-forensics on this website, I would have to express my opinion, that the stamps on these bayonets appear to have been placed there after the bayonets had been welded in the area of the original stamps, and then surface ground flat, then stamped, then reparkerized.

I Submit that the parkerization doesn't seem to be even across the upper stamp in either example. That is why I think the area was welded to fill in whatever stamp was originally there. The parkerizing looks like it is very thin on the area which would have been modified because of the difference in the steel used for the bayonet and whatever was use to fill the area.

... I would not feel comfortable that these bayonets were originally stamped as they appear today IMHO. "That's my story and I'm sticking to it..."

You guys are awesome. More importantly your you have helped me to be a smarter consumer. I've learned more from you guys than anyone.

Thank you.

Also no expert but I have seen many M1 bayonets and those look suspect to me as well.

I couldn't resist it. I sent a note to the seller nicely telling him the bayonets were questionable. Hopefully he wasn't a victim himself, etc. Below is his reply.


all is kosher and original - having ten unisued blades is not odd if you have been collecting for 40 years - very best to you ahve a great day -

http://www.usmilitaryknives.com/bayo_points_30.htm

Some interesting photos here...

Notice that there are NO grind marks around the stampings on the bayonets shown. I looked at one of mine and the metal is smooth in this area. I'll post a photo as soon as I can.

There were never any "last ditch" or "expedient" manufacturing shortcuts taken with US bayonets. All original should be nicely finished.

Fake !!!!

Want pictures ?

Harry