Posted 10 years ago
Chrisnp
(310 items)
This was the standard bayonet for the Model 1891 Mannlicher Carcano Rifle, and served in both world wars. They were manufactured in the millions, and can be found in a number of variations. The scabbard I have is fluted, but they also came in smooth steel and leather versions.
This bayonet is one of my longest owned pieces, and makes me kinda nostalgic. I was probably twelve or thirteen, and in an old-school Army surplus store – the kind you just don’t find any more. There was a long line of big wooden ammo crates without the tops, each filled to the top with different kinds of old bayonets. I think I got five or six bayonets with the little bit of money I saved, and I doubt I had much over $20, if that much. Ah, the good old days. I went back to the same place about ten years ago. It was run by the son of the guy who had it when I was a kid. By then it was mostly office and industrial surplus, overstock camping equipment and cheapo knives.
I have a WWII era version of that bayonet that I bought when I was in my teens. Got it at an antique store though. Did get some others at Army surplus stores. Not much army surplus at army surplus stores now. It is how you said.
Sounds like my life's experience. I'm sure I'm not going through "2nd childhood" because the prices sure aren't like then. Middle-age crisis, yes. I don't know whether to chase the mothers, daughters or the grand-daughters!
The price for a bayonet and scabbard seems to be about $100 now. I think I paid $7 for mine.
Yep fortapache, prices will never be the same.
Blunder, my rule had always been never to date a woman so young that people around you say "Awww, isn't that sweet. She's taking her dad out to lunch."
Thanks for the love pw-collector, blunder, Manikin and fortapache.
Good advice Chris. I'm trying to think of somebody who would use it.