[A. J. Ratelle]

Folks,

Been in the market for an antique 1934 Polish Szabla. The antiques are harder to come by than the repros, which this forum has discussed here:

https://myArmoury.com/talk/viewtopic.php?t=32788

In re the antiques though, I've found a number of items on ebay, all from various(?) folks in China. At round 180-280 USD, it seems like a decent deal for decent quality, but I'm still a little skeptical. Is there anyone with a bit more experience purchasing these kinds of items that could give me a 101 on determining their authenticity? All have pictures of the manufacturer's stamp and what looks like a serial number.

One of the dealers, "Chinatown Antiquer," is offering more expensive pieces,

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Poland-Polish-Militar...2192370380

There are also a number of other pieces being offered, about $100 cheaper, simply from "Shanghai." Many of these have a condition marked "used" which makes me think they're likely the real deal. No way to tell for sure though. Any input would be appreciated. Thanks to all in advance.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/S301-HANDMADE-POLAND-...1945133783

http://www.ebay.com/itm/S273-HANDMADE-POLAND-...1876167685

http://www.ebay.com/itm/F327-HANDMADE-POLAND-...2054914298

[Kevin Hughes]

I am no expert, but I believe those are fakes. The langets are supposed to be flush with the guard, and the grain in the wooden grip is supposed to be at an angle so it does not pass through two screw holes.

I had a similar thread on SBG forum which yielded some good info.

https://sbg-sword-forum.forums.net/thread/46434/polish-cavalry-sabre-1934-szabla

I believe this is a good example of an original, look at the pics and compare them to the Ebay listings

http://bp-militaria.com/sstore/polska-szabla-wz34-p-96.html

[Tom King]

If it looks like a duck, quacks like a duck, and has a point of origin marked China or India... it's a fake duck.

But as $1-150 reproductions for living history the only issue is the 4-12 week shipping time.
The hard truth is you just aren't finding a wicked steal on WWII militaria with ebay. Even "if" the one pictured is an original, it wouldn't be the one you'd receive. I've seen the listing for a pair of James river armory pauldrons I purchase years ago magically made and sold out of india, as well as the photos for a quite expensive barbute used in adcopy all over ebay for a $90 copy/wholesale scam just this week. If you are in the market for repros, know you're receiving a repro, and believe a repro is worth the price you're paying go hog wild. I've considered doing the same so my M91's bayonet would have a home on the scabbard of a shaska