Cleaning up my 1954 .303 Bayonet

N

nullack

Joined
Nov 17, 2008
Messages
243
Gday all

So my old .303 bayonet is still in the original cosmoline grease. Its all inside the sheath and on the blade. Its a mess and I also need to give it a good sharpen up.

I was wondering how I should clean the cosmoline off. I dont think Ill be able to give the sheath a good poke inside. I was thinking maybe some acetone or some other sort of solvent? Ideas please :confused:
 
I used to clean cosmoline off of small parts by simply dropping them into a pan of simmering, soapy water for several minutes. If necessary, change the water when it gets really dirty and repeat. The bulk of the cosmo simply melts and floats to the top, and the rest can be wiped off with a paper towel.

Another favorite cleaner of mine is called Krud Kutter, available at most hardware stores or on Amazon

http://www.amazon.com/Supreme-Chemicals-KK32-KrudKutter-Cleaner/dp/B000S8EQFO/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=home-garden&qid=1227787248&sr=8-1

It seems to work very well on grease, especially after a good soak. Much kinder to work with than solvents.
 
You might consider using the hot and soapy spray at the spray car wash. I cleaned alot of surplus magazines that way. Just hold on tightly to the parts... Don't ask how I know that...
 
Why are bayonets typically not sharpened and not used as knives?

Ive got a range of knives but I thought it might be fun to use it on my next camping trip.

Anyway thanks for the ideas :)
 
Why are bayonets typically not sharpened and not used as knives?
Click to expand...
Because the materials, blade shape, and ergonomics are generally not intended and not suited for use as a knife.

Removing the cosmoline, I just wipe it off with a paper towel. If some is left on the bayonet, no big deal; it will help protect and preserve the metal.
 
Reasons why it does not make a good knife -
1. typically the steel is hardened for strength, not edge holding, to facilitate its use as a stabbing implement. Thus, even sharpened, it typically won't hold its edge long, even if made with high carbon steel.
2. its a stabbing implement, and as such has not been sharpened by the factory to anything but a utility edge.
3. blade width gives it less utility as a knife for camp and survival usage, and more for thrusts, and to save money on steel.
4. its a collector at this point, or a nice accessory for your 303 Enfield.
You could run a quick search on bayonets here, some talk of sharpening bayonets to use as field knives only to find they don't hold the edge well.
 
If it is still in the cosmoline, I would leave it in that as a protectant. I can't say exactly what bayonet you have without pics, but only a couple of them have knife-like patterns. Considering the date on yours, it if it resembles a bowie/ field knife in shape, it is for the Jungle Carbine. Those bayonets are considerably valuable- even the repros are worth %50-60 dollars. YYour original could be worth considerably more- I wouldn't mess it up.
 
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