The bayonet blues

RedRabbits

RedRabbits

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Holberg/Nanaimo BC
Lately I've been looking for a reasonably priced authentic Enfield No5 bayonet. The EE has not turned up much but eBay has had a couple but at around $300 its a tough pill to swallow. I've toyed with the idea of a reproduction for a significantly reduced cost but i'm concerned about quality. Should i just keep waiting for a good price on the real deal or take the cheaper/easier way out with the knock off what do you guys think?
 
Buy the repro for now. Its not like you are taking it to war, so as a representative piece I'm sure it will do just fine. Watch the blades exchange for a real one, also P&S had a real one for $250 recently, it may still b there
 
I too have on of the RFI repros. I don't shoot my No5 with the bayonet on. It is just an accessory to have. Plus I can put the bayonet on and still have a good laugh at how it is still miles shorter then a mosin.
 
I wouildn't exactly call the RFI No5 bayos reproductions.

That would be like calling the Pakistani No4 MkII rifles reproductions.

The Indians made the No5 bayonets because they didn't have enough to fit out their own No5 rifles. They may have made a lot more than they needed but so did everyone else.

Lots of No5 bayos and No7s, don't have scabbards, because they were used on No9 bayos and FN L1A1 bayos.

Pakistan also made No9 bayos for their No4 MkII rifles. That doesn't mean they are classed as repros.

The RFI bayos are correct IMHO. They are more correct on No5s with the Ishy screws but they can come with UK built or RFI built bayos.
 
"RFI No5 bayos reproductions"

Yes RFI did indeed make some No.5 bayonets, but none have been on the open market for years. The repros sold by IMI and Atlanta Cutlery are made of soft steel and their fit and finish makes it real easy to tell them apart from the real British and Ishapore produced bayonets.
 
JP said:
"RFI No5 bayos reproductions"

Yes RFI did indeed make some No.5 bayonets, but none have been on the open market for years. The repros sold by IMI and Atlanta Cutlery are made of soft steel and their fit and finish makes it real easy to tell them apart from the real British and Ishapore produced bayonets.
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I find it hard to tell the difference from internet pics between RFI bayonetss made in the 60s and the new reproduction RFI stamped ones. eBay is full of the RFI knock offs
 
Original Ishapores are Parkerized or painted with black Suncorite paint, they are also dated. Repros are blued with no dates and often with ill-fitting over size varnished grips.

IMI repro: ht tp://www.ima-usa.com/british-enfield-no-5-jungle-carbine-bayonet-w-scabbard-new-collector-grade.html
 
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bearhunter said:
I wouildn't exactly call the RFI No5 bayos reproductions.

That would be like calling the Pakistani No4 MkII rifles reproductions.

The Indians made the No5 bayonets because they didn't have enough to fit out their own No5 rifles. They may have made a lot more than they needed but so did everyone else.

Lots of No5 bayos and No7s, don't have scabbards, because they were used on No9 bayos and FN L1A1 bayos.

Pakistan also made No9 bayos for their No4 MkII rifles. That doesn't mean they are classed as repros.

The RFI bayos are correct IMHO. They are more correct on No5s with the Ishy screws but they can come with UK built or RFI built bayos.
Click to expand...


Yeah, the one I have is an old one, and is first rate. I was told the same thing, that for all intents and purposes, it is the correct bayonet for the no.5mk1, as they were made and issued for no.5mk1s.
Most of the No5mk1s were not wartime issue anyway, what difference does it make if the bayo came from the post war period?
 
JP said:
"RFI No5 bayos reproductions"

Yes RFI did indeed make some No.5 bayonets, but none have been on the open market for years. The repros sold by IMI and Atlanta Cutlery are made of soft steel and their fit and finish makes it real easy to tell them apart from the real British and Ishapore produced bayonets.
Click to expand...

OK, mine are painted with Suncorite and are not as pretty as the newer ones. I didn't realize that RFI was making repros for resale by Atlanta Cutlery or IMI.

Thanks for that.
 
The repros are not made by RFI, the people making the repros are in backyard workshops and they are marking them "RFI". The lack of a date and the wrong type of lettering on the markings make them easy to weed out as repros.
 
cantom said:
I've seen the real ones and believe me, there is a big difference.
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The old girl I have looks to have been well used and most of the finish is missing but it is every bit as good as the British made bayo.

I'll have to take it with me to the next gun show and compare it to one of the clones.

I've had more than a couple of eye openers this summer.
 
If the No5s went for high prices just wait, more will pop up like mushrooms.
If you aren't in a big rush one will come around you just have to know what you are looking for and be ready when one shows up.
Check out local gun shows, and flea markests.
There are two RFI knockoffs on eBay at the moment they aren't originals.
If you are not sure about what you are looking for contact a guy like JP about an original he will keep an eye out for one.
 
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