myArmoury.com - 1907 Bayonet restauration

Posts: 1

Wed 02 May, 2007 10:09 am

1907 Bayonet restauration

Hi I'm new here :)

I have just inherited a WWI bayonet, which has unfortunately spent the past fifty years in my granddad’s garden shed. As you can imagine both the handle and the scabbard – and to a lesser extent the blade – are covered in rust. I was hoping that perhaps some of you could advise me on the best way to clear it up and preserve it as best a possible.

Thanks,

Ralph

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Bruno Giordan

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Posts: 919

Wed 02 May, 2007 12:26 pm

Re: 1907 Bayonet restauration

Ralph Williams wrote:

Hi I'm new here :)

I have just inherited a WWI bayonet, which has unfortunately spent the past fifty years in my granddad’s garden shed. As you can imagine both the handle and the scabbard – and to a lesser extent the blade – are covered in rust. I was hoping that perhaps some of you could advise me on the best way to clear it up and preserve it as best a possible.

Thanks,

Ralph

Stre it in a clean and dry place inside your home, as of first.

Than gentle cleaning by Ballistol or similar gun oil in repeating cycles should do a lot.

Just avoid sandpaper or other traumatic means.

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Lin Robinson

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Posts: 1,241 Location: NC

Wed 02 May, 2007 12:32 pm

Re: 1907 Bayonet restauration

Ralph Williams wrote:

Hi I'm new here :)

I have just inherited a WWI bayonet, which has unfortunately spent the past fifty years in my granddad’s garden shed. As you can imagine both the handle and the scabbard – and to a lesser extent the blade – are covered in rust. I was hoping that perhaps some of you could advise me on the best way to clear it up and preserve it as best a possible.

Thanks,

Ralph

Ralph...

I assume you are referring to a bayonet for the British Enfield rifle. If so, they are not particularly rare, although prices have increased of late. I would ordinarily recommend just removing the dirt and trying to preserve what finish was left on a rare piece. In this case, if the bayonet blade is substantially rusted and the fittings on the scabbard are in the same state, just drench it in oil and follow up with some steel wool. With that much rust you are bound to have extensive pitting so using something abrasive and a lot of elbow grease to get the rust (and remaining finish) off the blade is not going to make much difference, value-wise. Personally that is all I would do to this blade. 1907 Enfield bayonets in reasonable condition can still be had for $100 or less so it is not worth expending a lot of effort.

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