Faked bayonets: Swedish m/1716-91

© Per Holmbäck

Tl	Bl	Sl	Sd	Factory	Quantity
685 mm	610 mm	76 mm	26 mm	Made in India on comission	Unknown

In 1791 the Swedish bayonet m/1716 was modified to be mounted at the right of the barrel.
The stud was removed and replaced with a zig-zag slot and the locking bolt of bayonet m/1791.
I don't know whether the socket was replaced or modified. This model has been reproduced in the 1970's and from the numerous bayonets I have seen, 2 or maybe 3 are the real ones.
The fakes are quite realistic, but pitting and patina is "not good".
I studied several of them 'at close range' and found identical stamps, the digit '6' (or '9') on the side of the arm had the same damage, the 'Jönköping' stamps was identical. To much of a coincidence...

The blade is quite soft, and can be bent. However, this does not nessecary mean that it is a fake.


Closeup of socket. The rear stud is removed and replaced with a zig-zag slot and locking bolt like m/1791.

	Closeup of 'Jönköping' stamp. Exactly this stamp  (Notice the shorter right 'tag') has been seen on at least two bayonets.
	Closeup of shank.  Maker or control stamps. Also found on the bayonets I have seen
	Closeup of shank.  Note the damaged digit '9' in '94'. It has been found as a digit '6' on another bayonet.

Known stamps, numbers on arm

#1 on arm	#2 on arm	Comment
743	94	'9' damaged
436	488	'6' damaged
484	46	'6' damaged
64		'6' damaged
493		'9' damaged  Maker stamp 'AN'
334
886		6' damaged Maker stamp 'AN'

Comments by Shawn Gibson:

1.  The pattern of pitting does not look right.  It has very clean patches and then pitting right next to it.  Looks fishy to me.
2.  The edges in the mortise slot are way too sharp.  A bayonet that has been mounted on a musket over and over again has those sharp edges worn off.  This is often a dead give away.

My comment, Shawn also commented the weld between the shank and the socket, but the image is slightly misleading, there is no visible welding.

Last updated 2011-02-24
© Per Holmbäck