Jim P

Forgot to ask,are there any other markings,like a serial number on the end of the pommel? Jim

Is it possible to get some more pictures of the grips,especially the screws? This maker mark is unknown to me and I don't believe it to be WWII Japanese. Overall there is just something not quite right about this bayo. My 1st impression is reproduction or postwar manufacture,possibly by another country. Jim

I am going to an auction Saturday and among the few military items there is this flag. I have always wanted one,but know little about how to tell real from fake or what it may be worth. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Here is the only picture available: Here are the only other Japanese items,one is listed as a Kamikaze headband. Any ideas? Jim

base

Stumbled across this one at the pawn shop today and who can pass up any old ordnance for $10 ?? I think its a French Hotchkiss 37MM round,but hope someone will know for sure. It is marked with a french flaming bomb,PDPs,182,1 18,37-85. Thanks for any help. Jim

Wow, maybe I should but mine up for sale on ebay Australia and then buy me 7 or 8 more. Way overpriced IMO.especially without any attribution. Jim

I picked this one up for $30. The more the devices on the ribbon,the higher the price,so I felt that this one was a good deal. Although,without documentation,who is to say when the palms and stars where added to any of them. Jim

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Picked this one up a couple of weeks ago, a bronze Croix de guerre 1914-1917 with bronze palm and two bronze stars. Thought you guys would like it. Jim

Nice bayo! Having a WaA of 253 and being made by W.K.&C. it would have been manufactured in 1937,38 or 40. The last two digits of the year of manufacture should be stamped in the spine of the blade near the crossguard. Being an early to mid-war manufactured bayo it originaly should have had dark bakelite grips and the metal would have shown good to hi polish with very deep dark bluing. Having the later war,redish grips,signs of rough polish and the pale,greying blue,leads me to belive that this is a late war arsenal refinish. The grips would have been removed,bayo given a quick strip and rough polish and reblue. They would not have worried about keeping the grip matched to the bayo during this process as I'm sure this was done to a large number of bayos at once instead of individually. Still a very nice period correct 84/98 3rd model (k98). Jim

Thanks again for all the help Frank! Jim

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Well it's been just over a year and I have finally gathered up (almost) everything to put this tunic back together.There are a few things that I wtill want to do,but I have finally found someone to get it sewn back together.

Thanks for the links Javier,they were very helpful. Jim

I came across this at one of my favorite shops.I'm pretty sure it is a Spanish tankers helmet,but what I am unsure about is the time frame.I have been able to find a couple of them on line,but they are all missing the emblem and brown leather "doughnut".So if anyone can help me out with the time frame and value,I would very much appreciate it. Jim

Quite an outstanding collection you have there from "The War of Northern Aggression".It is great that your family has held onto the sword so long.It amazes me how little people in general care so little about their heritage,especially if it will bring good coin on ebay.Great stuff. Jim

It sure doesn't exibit the quality one would expect of a Grand Cross made by Godet,even if it is a museum copy. Jim

I sent an E-mail to Carl at "old smithy",and he says that altough it is not common for the monarch stamp and date to be missing on these bayo's,it is not unheard of.He has seen several of them,especially during the 1915-1918 years.Mistakes like this happen during wartime production for all countries. Hope this helps, Jim

Thanks for the insight Bob.The only examples that I had been able to find were all hand embroidered.Was there ever a bevo weave example of this insignia?I had really held out hope for this one,because the workmanship is excellent,not what you would expect from a repro. Thanks again, Jim

Thank you very much Don. Jim

Thought I would bubp this back to the top and see if any of the new members have any ideas. Thanks, Jim

A picture might help,and I'll do some investigating and see what else I can find out. Jim

A very nice 2nd model 98/05 sawback you have there.It is a 2nd model due to the low ears and flashguard which means it would have had to been manufactured from 1915-1918.The crown with a "B" is most likely an inspectors mark right above or below it should be a larger crown with 1or2 letters and the last two digits of the date below that. Hope this helps, Jim

Tom,I spoke with Carl(old smithy)and he wasn't sure either,so he suggested otto at ebayonet.com,otto says that these marks are common on South American made bayonets.He thinks that they are some form of factory control marking,but this is just his opinion. I have owned several of these over the years and all seemed to have some different markings on them.Now I wish I would have kept picture records like I do now.Hindsight is 20/20 isn't it. If I find out anything else I will be sure to let you know. Jim

I'm really not sure,they may have been sold and put into service somewhere else.I will check with someone I know about it and get back to you. Regards, Jim