Bayonet collecting links?

R

ravenQ8

Joined
Jan 2, 2002
Messages
208
I recently changed computers and lost all my Favorites. Among them I know were some bayonet collecting links. Can anyone provide some?
I bought a bayonet at the flea market in Kuwait today. It has what appears to be Russian writing and definately a "44" stamped on it but beyond that I can't identify it and thought I might be able to find someone that can help. Thanks.
 
I can take digital photos but dont know how to post them. It has a 10" blued blade, 1" wide, with blood grooves on both sides, sharpened on the bottom and a spear point. OAL 15". Inside ring diameter 5/8", outside diameter 7/8". Fixes below a barrel. Wooden grip with two rivets, full tang and steel butt. With the tip pointing up it has the following stamped in a half-moon pattern: OPEA??EhE with the 44 in the hollow portion of the half-moon. The second of the ? might be a 3 and the h has a bar across the top. Not all the letters are shaped like english letters but that's what they resemble. Stamped on the side of the guard is 80238 which I assume matches the serial number of the rifle it went to.
The scabbard is all steel, straight and tapering like the blade to a point but with a ball at the end. It has a strong but simple hook for attaching through a belt hole. It used to be blued and has a faint stamp near the top: a triangle with three characters in it that I can't read.
To me it appears to be from a Mauser style rifle, definately not Enfield.
Thanks for the link.
 
ravenQ8,

If you send me a JPEG I'll post it for you. The easiest way to post pictures on this site is to upgrade your membership. Once you have that you will be able to upload photos directly from your diskdrive.

n2s
ebarrio630@aol.com
 
raven,
Email the picture to me and I'll have Spydie Man take a look at it. He collects bayonets too and will probably be able to tell you about yours.
 
It's James Helbling, I emailed you earlier after lurking and reading this post.

Just wanted to extend my gratitude publically to you.


I sent you vague information and a few pics.. and this is what I got in return. I am very impressed!

James,
The bayonet looks like a 1885 Portugal model manufactured by Steyr in Austria for the Guedes and Kropatschek rifles. Some of these bayonets were also modified and used by the Germans in 1915 on their Mannlicher model 1888 rifles. The German modified versions have had the front 6mm of the muzzle ring enlarged to 17.5mm. (orig. 16mm).

The initials OE/WG stands for Oesterreichische Waffenfabrik.

It was originally marked along the back of the blade with "Steyr" and the date of manufacture "1885" or "1886".

I hope you decide to stay around and enjoy our company on BLADEFORUMS.COM

Yours,
not2sharp
Click to expand...

I emailed back, there is a worn "Steyr 1886" on the back of the blade, I was never able to make it out before, but with that info it's pretty clear now.

Thanks again!
 
Fishguy,

Welcome to the forums. There is a wealth of information here and alot of good company.

Enjoy yourself.

n2s
 
Spydie says it's German made for Yugoslavia. He said there is a slot right behind the guard. This is a vent or drainage hole. The cleaning rod of a Mauser would slide into this cavity. The serial number should match the one on the scabbard. The market is flooded with these bayonets right now. They are valued at about $20. Hope that helps!
 
HA! Amy, yes it helps to know I got screwed! I really am laughing because I expected as much. I paid 16KD (($52) though I have a way around that and really only paid about $10. I'm more relieved to know that I was right in identifying it to start with. And it will go well with the Yugo Mauser I have back home. Damn, I just remembered 2 rifles I need to add to the property settlement of my divorce! Thanks for your time and help.
 
Amy,

The Yuglosavian version is a copy of the Belgian model 1924. I believe this example to be Belgian. The Yuglosavian version would have been marked AT3 on the right tang. It would also have a serial number located on the frog stud (the metal hook on the scabbard) which I don't see on this one.

n2s
 
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