James McNair Posted 13 May , 2018 Share Posted 13 May , 2018 Hi all. just wondered if anyone had a view on what a genuine ,original Pritchard-Greener bayonet would cost nowadays ? I appreciate that the weapon itself probably wasn't that effective but it's still a piece of Great War memorabilia. Thanks James Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
N White Posted 13 May , 2018 Share Posted 13 May , 2018 Forgotten Weapons featured one in late 2016 at RIA. The lot was for a pair (2 bayonets) and final price was $4600. As he notes, more repros exist than real ones, (under 150 by most sources) so save your pennies and be VERY cautious. IMA sells their repro for $140. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave66 Posted 13 May , 2018 Share Posted 13 May , 2018 There's one coming up for auction here......http://www.bonhams.com/auctions/24659/lot/501/ as you say, iconic and unusual, but many copies around so pays to do plenty of research first...on my shopping list if I ever happen to find some spare cash!!!, I may be waiting a while😢 dave. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
James McNair Posted 13 May , 2018 Author Share Posted 13 May , 2018 21 minutes ago, N White said: Forgotten Weapons featured one in late 2016 at RIA. The lot was for a pair (2 bayonets) and final price was $4600. As he notes, more repros exist than real ones, (under 150 by most sources) so save your pennies and be VERY cautious. IMA sells their repro for $140. Thanks very much. I did have 1 of the Indian made copies a few years ago. But you are right in the need to be very careful ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
James McNair Posted 13 May , 2018 Author Share Posted 13 May , 2018 9 minutes ago, Dave66 said: There's one coming up for auction here......http://www.bonhams.com/auctions/24659/lot/501/ as you say, iconic and unusual, but many copies around so pays to do plenty of research first...on my shopping list if I ever happen to find some spare cash!!!, I may be waiting a while😢 dave. I'm aiming to put a bid in for it. Bonham's estimate is a bit low at 800-1200 I think . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave66 Posted 13 May , 2018 Share Posted 13 May , 2018 5 minutes ago, James McNair said: I'm aiming to put a bid in for it. Bonham's estimate is a bit low at 800-1200 I think . I too thought the estimate was on the conservative side, especially with the provenance, it will be interesting to see what the actual hammer price will be...I'd estimate a couple of grand if they've got their marketing right and all the history ties in....best of luck, Dave. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
James McNair Posted 24 May , 2018 Author Share Posted 24 May , 2018 Thanks but I expect some ultra collector will snap it up !! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave66 Posted 24 May , 2018 Share Posted 24 May , 2018 13 hours ago, James McNair said: Thanks but I expect some ultra collector will snap it up !! You got that right, and my estimation was way out....£6000 including premiums, there are some very deep pockets out there! Dave. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
James McNair Posted 25 May , 2018 Author Share Posted 25 May , 2018 17 hours ago, Dave66 said: You got that right, and my estimation was way out....£6000 including premiums, there are some very deep pockets out there! Dave. I thought it would be expensive but not that expensive !! Still , when and where are you going to find another ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave66 Posted 25 May , 2018 Share Posted 25 May , 2018 23 minutes ago, James McNair said: I thought it would be expensive but not that expensive !! Still , when and where are you going to find another ? The provenance certainly added a huge chunk to its final price, and as you say where else is one available with a known history. some of the shotguns in the same auction did well....50 thousand one pair!! Dave. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
James McNair Posted 26 May , 2018 Author Share Posted 26 May , 2018 On 25/05/2018 at 16:26, Dave66 said: The provenance certainly added a huge chunk to its final price, and as you say where else is one available with a known history. some of the shotguns in the same auction did well....50 thousand one pair!! Dave. Yes the best quality shotguns always seem to go for silly money. Never ceases to amaze me ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave66 Posted 26 May , 2018 Share Posted 26 May , 2018 11 minutes ago, James McNair said: Yes the best quality shotguns always seem to go for silly money. Never ceases to amaze me ! You and me both, I had the privilege of actually handling a pair of purdys once, and the quality of workmanship was stunning..with a purdy history that went back to the original owner in the 1880s, and still being used. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
James McNair Posted 30 May , 2018 Author Share Posted 30 May , 2018 On 27/05/2018 at 00:00, Dave66 said: You and me both, I had the privilege of actually handling a pair of purdys once, and the quality of workmanship was stunning..with a purdy history that went back to the original owner in the 1880s, and still being used. Never been into shotguns really. A loud noise and not a lot else ! That said they do have their job to do. And I have no doubt of the quality of workmanship in their build. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trajan Posted 3 June , 2018 Share Posted 3 June , 2018 Note that a lot of Pritchard-Greener bayonets were made up to make complete items from spares lying around after ww1. So are the real or what/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
garfyboy Posted 20 September , 2018 Share Posted 20 September , 2018 Hi folks i just purchased this in a collection, no idea what on earth it was but as soon as I held it and inspected it I thought that whatever it is it’s original, as a expierenced collector who’s handled 1000s of item, this was quality made all round with decades of patina and light wear, the blade is spot on, the scabbard, the leather etc etc...... but after finding out it was a Pritchard greener (never heard of before) reproduction I am stunned that it’s a repro, just goes to show that however experienced you are, you just never know, a stunning item that I thought I would share Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MikeyH Posted 20 September , 2018 Share Posted 20 September , 2018 It seems to have the right patina. There are many repros. of this bayonet around, Gras bayonets abound, so easy enough to make up a fake, believe they originated from India, World Wide Arms used to sell them. How do you know this is not the genuine item? Just curious. Mike. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave66 Posted 20 September , 2018 Share Posted 20 September , 2018 14 minutes ago, MikeyH said: It seems to have the right patina. There are many repros. of this bayonet around, Gras bayonets abound, so easy enough to make up a fake, believe they originated from India, World Wide Arms used to sell them. How do you know this is not the genuine item? Just curious. Mike. I'd be curious and ask the same question just out of interest, and even if it is a repro, a great find that I'd gladly add to my collection. Dave. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
garfyboy Posted 20 September , 2018 Share Posted 20 September , 2018 Having read Martin Peglars item that has a link here somewhere it seems that it is, no trademark, patent and number should be engraved, not stamped etc, im stlll genuinely flabbergasted that it is, ive taken a few more photos that I will ad shortly, the patina is just so good Andy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave66 Posted 20 September , 2018 Share Posted 20 September , 2018 I suppose if it's a 70s repro it's had nearly half century to gather that crud and patina, if newer, just goes to show how good these things can be...certainly a specialised subject, same as Robbins of Dudley. Still a really nice piece though, and given the price of the originals, a very authentic looking alternative. Dave. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
garfyboy Posted 20 September , 2018 Share Posted 20 September , 2018 yes and maybe even made with original French bayonet, well beautiful as it is, repros are not my thing so I will move it on, if anybody is interested then please pm me. Hope you all enjoyed the photos Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
James McNair Posted 3 October , 2018 Author Share Posted 3 October , 2018 Just to cap this discussion off, if you compared this copy to an original you'd know the difference. But I rather suspect that is the case with many items, the tank drivers chain mail masks being another example. World Wide Arms still sell Prideaux loaders which are clearly not original period pieces. The number of times these come up with reputable auction houses and are catalogued as 'rare' , 'genuine' and/or 'original' is worrying. As has been stated already a true original Pritchard-Greener bayonet is numbered and they are about as rare as hens teeth !! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
James McNair Posted 3 October , 2018 Author Share Posted 3 October , 2018 Just now, James McNair said: Just to cap this discussion off, if you compared this copy to an original you'd know the difference. But I rather suspect that is the case with many items, the tank drivers chain mail masks being another example. World Wide Arms still sell Prideaux loaders which are clearly not original period pieces. The number of times these come up with reputable auction houses and are catalogued as 'rare' , 'genuine' and/or 'original' is worrying. As has been stated already a true original Pritchard-Greener bayonet is numbered and they are about as rare as hens teeth !! Just to add on the subject of 'fakes' or copies I once had what I thought was a real Robbins of Dudley Push dagger. It looked right , felt right , and what I paid for it led me to think it was all correct. However, when I decided to sell it I presented to a well known military auctioneers in the South of England and they put it through an X-ray test I think. It turned out to be a combination of things , an Italian dagger blade for one but definitely not an original Push dagger. We must all be so vigilant but with some items its hard to tell as finding an original to compare it against has become very difficult and the fakers are so damn good !! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
James McNair Posted 4 October , 2018 Author Share Posted 4 October , 2018 Thought I'd share some photos of an original Pritchard-Greener bayonet. When comparing them with those already posted here it may appear as identical but when you hold them and see them side by side the copy becomes more obvious, or it does in my opinion anyway. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trajan Posted 9 October , 2018 Share Posted 9 October , 2018 Note that - if I recall correctly - spare parts for the original items were assembled for sale in the later 20th century... Anyone know how to identify these from modern reproductions? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MikeyH Posted 9 October , 2018 Share Posted 9 October , 2018 Julian, There is an article by Martin Peglar, which explains the detail differences. Am currently unable to find it, but it has figured on the forum previously. The cross hatching on the press catch is different, plus patent number is engraved not stamped. The 'spare parts' bayonets, were discovered in 1968. Mike. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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