I see that the more knowledgeable collectors prefer 1944
To all other dates. Why?
I would not say the "knowledgeable" collectors prefer 1944 production as that infers the rest of us do not know as much about what we collect. Now granted in my case I may not know as much about bayonets as say Andy or pwcosol, but I do know about what I collect. I started out years ago collecting bayonets of all kinds, which was what ever was available in my local area. There was no internet to aid me along and most of what I learned was from word of mouth. And some of that word ended up being BS, as I have learned over those years. I sold off all of my collection in 85 except one small Swedish barrel knife. I got into S84/98 III bayonets just a few years ago. I received a K98 byf43 from a friend, it needed a bayonet, I got an ab43. That did it. I got the S84/98 III virus, not to the extent as some of the guys here though. I did the one S84/98 III for each year. It was an easy goal and did not take for ever. I upgrade now on occasion or pick up oddities. Collecting S84/98 III s has branched off to other German blades. I am getting as many Ks98 variations as I can find now. They abound and can be quite affordable for the most part. It is all a preference with some knowledge thrown in.
Hi I agree , They just have been keeping track of the serial ranges and codes.and they have seen a lot since the internet. Its a lot of work. Before the internet hardly any new about the codes and rarity... Now with all the good books and the internet, All you need to do is read and look at photo's to help you know your not buying a turd. I do believe knowledge is power. SVW1945
Back in 1996, collector John Jacobi began to form what became the Bayonet Collector's Network (BCN). The original focus of the organization was to study the German S84/98 T3. John solicited potential members, received emails from them, and posted their submissions to the group several times a week. Eventually the BCN grew to have around 300 members worldwide and the format evolved to encompass all bayonets and related militaria. Unfortunately by 2015, it was apparent only a dedicated number of collectors were still contributing to the conversations. In addition, the advent of online forums, which enabled members to discuss or exchange information in a more timely manner, contributed to the BCN closing down in June of that year. However, a BCN Facebook group had been forming and is still active. In any event, during the 19 years the BCN was in operation, much data was collected, shared and retained by the former membership...many of whom are current members of this Forum, for the benefit of all.
Addendum: Forgot to mention a BCN sub-forum, established around 2006, remains hosted on the Germandaggers.com website. There seems to be limited interaction on it now, and many of the discussions center around German "extraseitengewehre".