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22nd October 2023, 11:36 AM | #1 |
Vikingsword Staff
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Hi dandon809. Welcome to the Forum.
I agree with Tim. This does look like a refashioned bayonet. Can you provide the overall length, the length of the blade, and the length of the fuller? That might help identify it. We don't generally get into modern militaria and bayonets on this forum, but this example is more of a "what'sit" so let's see where it goes. |
22nd October 2023, 01:47 PM | #2 |
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Welcome dandon. What does the other side of the blade and scabbard look like? And the spine as well. Tim if this is a bayonet wouldn't there need to be a scarf weld, or the blade of the machete would need to be supper narrow to create a full tang grip with a beaked pommel?
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22nd October 2023, 04:22 PM | #3 | |
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Quote:
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22nd October 2023, 05:46 PM | #4 |
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It is difficult to be sure of anything with these pictures. The spine would help. The width of metal in the handle does seem to vary. Could be from a late ersatz version? Certainly has a bayonet look. Could the scabbard look like one of those Brazil / Argentine knives? It is far from a machete.
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22nd October 2023, 06:18 PM | #5 | |
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Quote:
Sorry for not being able to give a citation. Is there is distinct distil taper in the handle section that would allow for widening the grip to create the pommel? Could that be done if the first step was upsetting the base of the tang with localized heats? There is not a serial number on the other side of the blade which I associate with former military items. I think I am leaning towards factory made tool/weapon as much as I would like to see a repurposed machete. Proportionally at around 18.5 in it seems too wide to be a bayonet. Last edited by Interested Party; 22nd October 2023 at 06:28 PM. Reason: clumsy post |
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23rd October 2023, 12:17 AM | #6 |
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IP, are you thinking perhaps of some of the old Bannerman catalogs? I don't recall a compendium of catalogs.
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23rd October 2023, 03:47 PM | #7 |
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I have been following this thread with interest because I am very familiar with blade bayonets from the mid 1800s through WW2. This is not a repurposed bayonet, at least any European or American bayonet that I know. I am inclined to think it is from South America. It is not a sorocabana knife from Brazil, at least in the traditional construction, but the shape of the handle along with the use of horn are similar. My sorocabana has the old three rivets through the ricasso construction, where this knife has one solid blade and handle. However, the fuller on both is similar. Not sure of the blade's origin, but I don't think it's German as the markings on a German blade would be 90 degrees different on the ricasso, above the handle.
This is a cool old machete/short sword/working man's knife with some age. |
23rd October 2023, 06:55 PM | #8 | |
Arms Historian
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Quote:
Back in 'the old days' in the late 60s and 70s these catalogs of old arms for sale by mail were invaluable references used before most of the reference volumes used today were published. They are still much cherished by many collectors when found in old book stores (quickly vanishing). |
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23rd October 2023, 07:02 PM | #9 |
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It seems the 'spear point' on this item is atypical for a machete, which needs a larger blade and with heavier distal end and broader radiused point for chopping. The type of hilt is the only factor that suggests machete.
The initials are unusual in position as noted, and could apply to any number of individual suppliers...the fuller does correspond to many forms of bayonet of the 'sword type' of latter 19th c into 20th, but may have been applied to other blade types. |
23rd October 2023, 11:57 PM | #10 |
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Kearney & Foot?
Hi All,
It may just be coincidence but there was an old file company called Kearney & Foot. It was bought out by Nicholson in 1901 but the name was kept. It would appear that they also made knives because Blackswan Antiques sold one and the picture is still on their website. It doesn't look anything like dandon80's knife though. Sincerely, RobT |
22nd October 2023, 04:17 PM | #11 | |
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Quote:
Overall 48cm Blade - 36.5cm Fuller - 17.5cm, closer to 17cm on the marked side (but possibly due to pitting) Alongside ethnographic weapons I collect militaria and specifically cutdowns, and this doesn't strike me as one personally as there are none of the usual suspects I.E grind marks. If it is one it's a very clean example. I will post some more photos of the tang and other side below. Thanks again! |
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Tags |
colonial, identification, machete, sword |
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