Bayonet = Value added

[Richard Simmons]

Just curious. I know some folks collect bayonets in addition to fireams and some collect them solely. With regards to firearms just how much does a bayonet add to the value of a firearms purchase? Are there particular bayonets that really make a companion rifle more valuable as a set more so than either seperately? Of course a bayonet that is #'s matching to a rifle would seem to be more desireable than a non-matching but is the difference significant? Also is there a particular combination of rifle,carbine/bayonet that is the holy grail of collecting? Started thinging about this as I've come upon an auction where they list a Japanese rifle with bayonet. Don't see a lot of Jap bayonets offered either with or without the rifle so my curiosity was aroused. TIA

[RetVet]

I can't offer much, but would agree that anytime you can find a firearm with a matching numbered bayonet, the price of the combo should be significantly higher. I'm sure there are those out there who collect nothing but sets such as this and are willing to pay a premium for them.

I have around 40 bayonets in my meager collection with most purchased specifically to accompany a certain rifle or model there of. My bayonets for the Enfields fall into this group.

The rifle/bayonet holy grail? I think some would say the SVT-40 (or 38) with the bayonet would fall into that realm. They're pretty scarce in any condition (bayonet that is). I was lucky and was offered the bayonet too when I bought mine.

I'm sure there some other combos even tougher to come by.

[Richard Simmons]

I would agree with the SVT as those bayonets are pretty scarce. Don't know if they were serialized or not but an M39 rifle with matching bayonet would seem to be a real find as well.

[RetVet]

Most, but not all, of the bayonets for the SVT40 came with a serial number. Mine has one.

An M39 with matching bayonet? Now THAT is a combo I'd love to get my hands on.:cool:

[Yukon]

With a lot of rifles anything other than a matching # bayo is only worth the extra $$$ to buy it at a distributor. As we know bayonettes for most European 98k based rifles can be had for $20 or so. On the other hand, the rarer bayonettes can really add to value. I have only found one bayo for my 1891 Argentine in the condition I want for under $180. I will probably end up getting one at some point because in my mind it would make the rifle/bayo combo worth more long term than the $180 or so it will cost. A matching # bayonette would very sweet indeed!Not sure if these countries serialed ther bayonettes or not, but I would also like to have a Swede Mauser, M-39, and K-31, matching set.


And they look cool too!

[neilwest]

1. To me anytime you can get the rifle complete with all the accessories and the numbers match, youve got a collectable.:p

[SalBO]

I wold prefer to get a rifle with a matching bayo but it isnt a deal killer for me. I guess it should be in some instances....

I am till hunting an excellent M4 bayo with the leather handle without having to cut my arm off to have it....

[NC_Rebel]

Originally posted by neilwest
1. To me anytime you can get the rifle complete with all the accessories and the numbers match, youve got a collectable.:p Ditto that. When the rifle comes without accessories, I try to find the correct bayonet elsewhere. I have a bayonet for almost every C&R rifle in my collection, plus a couple for rifles that I don't own. The bayonet is an important part of the rifle as far as I'm concerned. Same goes for the sling, but that's a whole different ball of wax.

My "holy grail" combination would be a Webley Mk.VI revolver and Pritchard bayonet with matching serial numbers. :D

[survivor99]

I love bayonets to be a part of my rifle collection. I have a few but only one that has matching serial numbers. To me, this is a great bonus, a plus in my collection. I guess many guys lost bayonets in service and just picked one up from the ground. It matched his rifle, so he really didn't have the time to be worried about it. Now, the matching set speaks loudly. It tells me that some guy actually hung onto all his proper gear and that I'm helping his legacy continue, although he may have died 50 or more years ago. Yes, it makes the rifle worth a lot more to me, both monetarily and otherwise.

survivor99

[likebuddah]

Bayonets were my gateway into firearms. I have about 80ish various bayonets and AK 40 bayonets. Oddly I think that having a bayonet that matches the rifle is not that important, just having the bayonet is. I am acustomed to rack weapons, and subsequent rack bayonets, so it is nice buy not a nessesary.

Just a plug, I need a Romanian AK 74 bayonet, and a large logo'd type two izzy AK bayonet, and a black Soviet model 85 black bayonet. ALSO a folding carcano bayonet... anybody....anybody....PLEASE

Just a pick to liven up the bayonet forum... Some of the bayonets I have displayed in my "arms room" aka second closet. Most of the valuable ones I keep under glass, so these are ok for my buddies to hold. :wiggle:

http://www.gunsnet.net/album/data/500/13191BayoStorage7-med.JPG

[Richard Simmons]

:eek: :eek: :eek:

Wow, those are nice. Thanks for sharing.

[Schuetzenman]

Very nice collection of bayonets likebuddah.

Me, I feel any military weapon that had a bayonet is incomplete until it has a bayonet to fit it. I do covent matching serial number rifles and bayonet sets because of the rareness of them. So far I have only two such combinations, a K31 Schmidt Ruben and a 91-30 Mosin Nagant.

[likebuddah]

Oh I agree entirely, the rifle is totally complete with a matching bayonet, which for me is few and far between.

Matching bayonets on the more pricey weapons are by far more common. Of course it is easy to get a matching bayonet for my M44 but forget it on my war trophy carcano.

Sense I spend all of my extra money on militaria (which I fight tooth and nail for with the Mrs. :D ) I am just happy to get a bayonet to go with the rifle.

By the way, I am more than happy to share any pictures that can be of service. :up: