Recommendation? Restore or not

[saylorbrand]

A buddy at work has an AK bayonet that he got in Iraq. It was in a building that was bombed and the handle was burned off. He wanted to know whether to leave it be or restore it. Which brings the most value as a collectible?

 

[gazz98]

Pic? Any stampings or markings on it?

I'm guessing it is a Soviet/Russian bayonet that was made 20+ years ago when they exported them along with the AK 47s to a good chunk of the world. I would guess there are millions out there but I might be wrong. Value? I would guess not a lot.

Again, just a guess on my part. If it is older then a 80s or 90s massed produced bayonet, there should be more value there.

 

[Kreyzhorse]

I can't imagine that it has much monetary value. It's biggest value, likely, is is that it is a war prize. If it were mine, Id leave it as it is.

 

[Hickory n steel]

It probably won't be one of the rare variants, and has a cool story behind it in it's current condition.

Not to mention if it got hot enough to melt the handle off, it probably got hot enough to effect the temper of the steel.