What makes an 'ersatz' bayonet...

[awp101]

and how do I determine a genuine "ersatz" from an ersatz "ersatz"?:confused:

I've seen a number of these listed on ebay, etc. but I have no idea to tell if it's a repop or not.

[awp101]

Anyone? Anyone?

Beuller? Beuller?

[Dave Lazarus]

Hi Awp. The only mass-produced fake Ersatz i know of are the German M-15 "crankhandle" (Janzen 95-1) & the Austrian M-17 (Janzen 12-1) so there's not much to worry about. (Janzen's Bayonets is the minimum reference you need to collect bayos.) There are also non-German issue Ersatz bayos, but that's another post. Most of the Ersatz on the market are Turk-modified post-WWI. These are easily identified by having shortened blades about 9 3/4" long.

Dave
Collecting Spanish & WWI-WWII East Euro Bayonets

[awp101]

Thanks Dave!

Ahhh, I see. The issue is not fake ersatz, but non-German ersatz's being passed off as WWI German ersatz's.

What are these Janzens 95-1 and 12-1? Books or magazines?:confused:

[Dave Lazarus]

Hi again. The numbers are the page & item #s from the book Janzen's Bayonets. Best price i've found on these is at www.idsabooks.com

There are some fakes &/or fantasy rare German Ersatz, but you are unlikely to run into them, they were made up in small lots or even one-offs.

The book on German Ersatz bayos is A. Carter, Ersatz Bayonets.

Best,

Dave