Paso Robles Show

[Emdawg]

Now a lot of guys go on and on about how the gun shows in CA are nothing but taser and jerky vendors and that is true.

But... one can find some little treasures now and then!

A Tula SVT-40 bayonet with scabbard and belt loop.

and

A 98/05 sawtooth bayonet by H. Mundlos & Co. of Madgeburg. Undated, so 1917? Comes with scabbard and frog.


So what are some sharp, little treasures you guys find?





Also picked up some ammo.

[81turbota]

Nice scores! I'd buy one of those sawtooth bayonets even if I didn't have a rifle to put it on. Super cool.

[I Swan]

How much were these treasures?

[marysdad]

You did well. Well done, indeed!

I love going to smaller rural shows, because you never know what turns up. I'm a little far north to make Paso Robles, but hit as many of the shows as I can. At last month's Big Reno Show, I snagged a couple of sharp little treasures. Was amazed to find two rarities like these sleeping at the same show. The first was this Argentine (yes, Argentine) M1871/84 knife bayonet.





Also, discovered this previously unknown type of U.S. Fencing Bayonet, based on the M1835/42 socket bayonet.

[Emdawg]

Wow marysdad, those two are pretty cool. Have you considered replacing the blade on the socket-bayonet? Were they originally wood or ivory?

[marysdad]

The blade was made of whalebone, with a leather-covered rubber or cork ball at the point.

[wejisarch]

The first was this Argentine (yes, Argentine) M1871/84 knife bayonet.

[Emdawg]

Whalebone... interesting. It must be tough stuff to be useful in practice, let alone to hold up the bulk of one of those creatures!

I wonder why the Argentine bayonet is what it is. I do not recall Argentina having a contract for the 1871 Mauser rifle.

[pitfighter]

Whale bone had a natural spring to it -
They also used it in Women's clothing

[Emdawg]

I've heard of it being used in clothing, but whalebone is not that common these days, so I am just interested in how strong it is.

[Flyin Brian]

Whale bone had a natural spring to it -
They also used it in Women's clothing

...and Men's, apparently. I have seen it mentioned before as being used in ship's sails as flexible battens. I searched google and came up with a link to a page on the USS Constitution, and it is discussing the use of baleen battens on a man's corset

http://www.ussconstitutionmuseum.org/proddir/prod/496/13/

[marysdad]

I wonder why the Argentine bayonet is what it is. I do not recall Argentina having a contract for the 1871 Mauser rifle.

Not a lot is known about these. Most likely, they were used on Gew 88 rifles, of which Argentina purchased 5,000. Argentine sources confirm these bayonets are Argentine. One of the scarcest Argentine bayonets. More info on the Argentina Page of my site.