On line aution "deals"

[jetmek]

So for lack of anything better to do I was looking at the auctions hoping to find a 71/84 bayonet and virtually every one I found seems to be a Spanish 1892/93 . they all have a cross and serial numbers on the cross piece. It may be just sellers don't know the difference but it goes to show how easy it is to get burned buying auction items that are mis represented or somebody's polished turd. Looking at that stuff is like staring at a car crash...I cant help myself and usually regret it .

 

[pwcosol]

Though the Spanish bayonets do look similar to the German IG 71/84 bayonet, the latter is more robust than the Spanish. If the photos are good, this should be easily distinguished. In my experience, one tends to find more "extraseitengewehr" 71/84 examples for sale. Collector-grade, issue examples are not easy to come by. This is partly due to many of them having been converted to the S84/98 T1 pattern. Another thing to watch out for is Spanish M93 leather scabbards trying to pass for 71/84 scabbards. If the scabbard on a 71/84 "issue" bayonet has no Imperial German proofs and/or unit markings, it should be considered suspect. A exception is the scabbards for the dress pattern will typically be devoid of these markings as well.

The example pictured is one I acquired to go with my IG 71/84. Since many rifles can be found in excellent to new condition, it is difficult to find a equally commensurate bayonet. What is interesting about this example is it was made by Weyersberg, finished "in the white" (as opposed to factory nickle), bears a serial # 118 on the pommel, and exhibits the lightly sharpened edge found on WW1 issue field bayonets. My suspicion is this bayonet might have come from a military academy or school. It could have been pressed into auxiliary service during WW1 as well:

 

[jetmek]

Thanks for your response. That sure is a mint bayonet...Im not a collector or knowledgeable on the fineries of them. I just like to search out presentable examples to go with my rifles. A little Patina doesn't bother me as long its correct. I almost hit the buy it now button on a couple of those claiming to be WW1 or 71/84 until I realized what they really are. Buyer beware I guess...

 

[Unutt]

Auction issues

I feel your pain, for real. I posted a thread about a bayonet I bought off eBay that was completely misrepresented. It took me a month to force the seller to take it back, and only then when eBay stepped in. I had to take pictures and compare them to the description that was provided in the auction.

At first I thought it might be an honest mistake, but then the seller reposted it, and completely avoided the details that I highlighted when I returned it. In fact, he used language designed to avoid the truth about his bayonet. I had no way to warn the prospective buyers. I had to sit by and watch another misled collector bid more than twice what the bayonet is worth. I am sure he will return it also.

If I fail to read the auction correctly, or fail to ask the correct questions, I accept my mistake and move on. And there have been a few, for sure.

If the description is incorrect, or I ask a question and the answer is not accurate, it goes back. I have returned two in the 4+ years I have been collecting.

 

[pwcosol]

Thanks for your response. That sure is a mint bayonet...I'm not a collector or knowledgeable on the fineries of them. I just like to search out presentable examples to go with my rifles.

Yea, that is pretty much why I decided to keep it. The one I had prior was a WKC dress pattern but with nickle finish on the bayonet & scabbard mounts. When this example crossed my path, I let the other go. It really makes that IG71/84 rifle pop when mounted!