JBee Posted 16 September , 2019 Share Posted 16 September , 2019 Hi all, I know it's not complete or shiney, but it's mine and I love it already. Can anyone tell me anything about this broken bayonet? I've read some posts on here, but don't have any knowledge or expertise to identify it. Did they have wooden handles? Is there the remains of a scabbard on it? How could a bayonet blade get broken?! Also, what is best way to remove the rust and try to make it the best condition I can. Thank you. JBee Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave1418 Posted 16 September , 2019 Share Posted 16 September , 2019 Hi it looks like a British 07 bayonet with the top section of the scabbard remaining, could have been snapped for any number of reasons. The round looks like a British.303 but has had a hole drilled in the side and also a shell fuse possibly a number 80 Dave Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ServiceRumDiluted Posted 16 September , 2019 Share Posted 16 September , 2019 (edited) Shell fuze is a 101, British, used in HE shells. The rings around it are the giveaway. Edited 16 September , 2019 by ServiceRumDiluted Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JBee Posted 16 September , 2019 Author Share Posted 16 September , 2019 (edited) Thanks both. It was info on the bayonet I was after but also knew nothing about the orher items. Thought the conical thing was a nose cap from a shell. I need to read up! Edited 16 September , 2019 by JBee Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JBee Posted 16 September , 2019 Author Share Posted 16 September , 2019 Guys, what's best way to clean or restore these and remove the rust?thanks! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ServiceRumDiluted Posted 16 September , 2019 Share Posted 16 September , 2019 The 'conical thing' is indeed the nose cap from a shell. It is the fuze which detonates the shell. More information than an ordinary person could ever need is right here http://www.passioncompassion1418.com/decouvertes/english_fusees_collection_gb.html#angleterre Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JBee Posted 16 September , 2019 Author Share Posted 16 September , 2019 9 minutes ago, ServiceRumDiluted said: The 'conical thing' is indeed the nose cap from a shell. It is the fuze which detonates the shell. More information than an ordinary person could ever need is right here http://www.passioncompassion1418.com/decouvertes/english_fusees_collection_gb.html#angleterre Brilliant. Thanks for that. 👍 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ServiceRumDiluted Posted 16 September , 2019 Share Posted 16 September , 2019 No problem it is a great website, it is not a complete list but when you start fretting that it does not list a No 17, 31 or 110 fuze then... you are beyond hope really. As to cleaning, the fuze is brass and should come up very well with a bit of work. Soaking in acid or vinegar works well but can eat all the zinc leaving a coppery finish. I get mine glass bead blasted which works very well but is hard unless you have a pet engineering company. Personally I'd give it a brush with alloy wheel cleaner then get busy with brasso. The bayonet is a different kettle of fish, any means of getting the rust off will more than likely destroy the wood and scabbard remnants which I think add some poignancy. Again, if I had to clean it, personally I'd get a little multitool like a Dremel, use the little grinders and wire brushes to remove as much mud and flake as possible, then brush it with Kurust. This chemically inerts the rust and leaves a solid but black item. Use a couple of coats. It will loose something of its character in the process but you will be left with a nice little stable item. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JBee Posted 16 September , 2019 Author Share Posted 16 September , 2019 Thanks again SRD. I'll have a gentle go. Some of the wood is breaking off already so I will go cautiously. 👍 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jay dubaya Posted 16 September , 2019 Share Posted 16 September , 2019 (edited) I like relic treasure and much to Mrs Dubaya's displeasure I have a shed full of the stuff. You've got some nice bits there, did you find them JBee? ...that bayonet was probably made in Sheffield and yes they surely did have wooden grips some of which is retained on yours along with some of the scabbard. The fuze looks like a No.101, give it a slight clean and chances are it will be stamped on there along with several other stamps. The round does look like a .303 but looks unfired and indeed does look like a hole has been drilled in the case....just beware! Molasses does a fantastic job with metals and rust if its soaked for a week or three, no chemicals needed, then washed and scrubbed, parts can then be buffed with a steel brush (attached to a drill or grinder is best). The wood that remains on the bayonet would need some chemical intervention to preserve it and what appears to remain of the scabbard looks very shot so it may be well to leave this piece be. The round I'm keeping at arms length at present..... J Edited 16 September , 2019 by jay dubaya Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JMB1943 Posted 16 September , 2019 Share Posted 16 September , 2019 (edited) JBee, The single easiest method is described in this link. If you dissolve the molasses in hot water, the evolution of hydrogen will start pretty quickly. Check progress daily. https://www.greatwarforum.org/topic/262893-molasses-rust-us-m-1917-helmet/?tab=comments#comment-2665118 Regards, JMB Edit: jaydubaya posted while I was typing. I would not worry about the wooden grips, the piece will never be anything other than a dug relic and you cannot restore it to original condition. Edited 16 September , 2019 by JMB1943 Add info Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chasemuseum Posted 18 September , 2019 Share Posted 18 September , 2019 With the wood of the grips, this will only ever be a dug relic. The problem is that due to the degree of exposure to water much of the natural oils in the cellular structure of the wood has been lost additionally with the exposure to soil bacteria and fungi spores are also likely to be present. As the wood dries over several years, it will largely turn to dust (wood only not the steel). Soaking for an extended period (weeks or months) in a solution of linseed oil may arrest this process, but the wood will always be dark/black, soft and crumbly. Museum conservation can offer more effective conservation techniques but is likely to be cost prohibitive for this item. Regards Ross Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NigelS Posted 18 September , 2019 Share Posted 18 September , 2019 As someone with next to no knowledge of bayonets, I'm intrigued by the symmetry of the 'broken' end, from the images apparently straight across at a right angle, wouldn't an irregular break be more likely? Is it possible that the blade has been cut/ground down for some - obviously unknown - reason, possibly after suffering a less regular break? It would be interesting to know whether there is any irregularity of the 'break' across its depth, or whether that too is straight across - although corrosion might have subsequently hidden it - giving further evidence of it having been cut. Any thoughts? NigelS Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AOK4 Posted 18 September , 2019 Share Posted 18 September , 2019 45 minutes ago, NigelS said: As someone with next to no knowledge of bayonets, I'm intrigued by the symmetry of the 'broken' end, from the images apparently straight across at a right angle, wouldn't an irregular break be more likely? Is it possible that the blade has been cut/ground down for some - obviously unknown - reason, possibly after suffering a less regular break? It would be interesting to know whether there is any irregularity of the 'break' across its depth, or whether that too is straight across - although corrosion might have subsequently hidden it - giving further evidence of it having been cut. Any thoughts? NigelS I have similar bayonet relics, so it's not that strange. Jan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JBee Posted 18 September , 2019 Author Share Posted 18 September , 2019 (edited) Thank you so much for all the info. I keep reading the replies then doing more online searching inbetween. Will try to clean the bayonet blade but likely to leave the handle as is. In the meantime, I've found some numbers on the fuze. Edited 18 September , 2019 by JBee Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andrew pugh Posted 20 September , 2019 Share Posted 20 September , 2019 Good Evening Folks Regarding the cleaning of the bayonet put it on some clean kitchen roll and put it in a cardboard box and leave it to stabilise in a in a warm dry location. I too have a similar piece of a British bayonet that I found at Mametz several years ago.Don't clean it leave it as it was found with the med and dirt, it has more meaning. Regards Andy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
calibre792x57.y Posted 22 September , 2019 Share Posted 22 September , 2019 Leave the bayonet as it is. P.07 bayonets are commonly found on the battle fields and often have snapped blades due to farm tractors running over them. - SW Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now