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Posted: 12/10/2013 10:20:42 PM EDT
Hi Fellow AR-10 Enthusiasts,
I have been way too distracted with work recently, but I have come across an incredible find for my collection of AR-10 stuff, which will someday culminate in a Portuguese AR-10. By doing some digging and keeping up my AR-10 vigil, I came across a great deal on a Portuguese bayonet, which is in VG-EXC condition. Here it is:  I was really impressed with its condition, with the blade, ring, and pommel retaining much of their original finish, with only some scratches from being unsheathed and resheathed for parade on the right side of the blade (not the side with the crisp AI marking). The fabric was a little frayed on top of the frog and one of the bolts holding the grip screws is missing, but the wood and metal are quite nice. It really started to get interesting when I flipped the scabbard over, however, and found this etching:  This was likely scratched here by the original user, and even though it may not be pristine (only on the backside of the scabbard), I consider this etching a mark of honor, and a connection to the brave man who carried it once. Hi Armeiro, I'm sure you are reading this, and knowing your font of knowledge about these rifles, I wouldn't doubt you could actually find unit rolls of Batalhio 21 and 31 of the Cacadores Paraquedista. If you do, can you find a name that matches the initials ZE, or do you think they have any other significance? Also, I cannot make out what the "NIHA" stands for either; I figure you might know, though. What really made my day, though, was when I investigated the scabbard further. I had taken the bayonet apart completely (pictures below), but there was a strange kind of white lining just below where the metal and plastic intersected on the scabbard. To my surprise, the metal lifted off of the plastic, and wrapped around the plastic, saturated with cosmoline but still readable, were two scraps of old newspaper, in Portuguese! Here are both sides of them below:   The old look of this paper, as well as what is on it, lead me to believe that it was actually put there by the soldier who used the bayonet. On the front, is a tidbit that first mentions the book "Tarzan and the Lost Empire." I don't know of a movie being made of this book, but perhaps there was one in Portugal. It then seems to say something about manuscripts directly from the author, which may or may not have to do with the Tarzan listing above. On the other side, is part of a picture of a very young-looking Lee Van Cleef. The apparent age and the language of the paper makes me think it was definitely not added by a Dutch or American collector (from whom I bought it, I don't think he knew it was there), and also that it is indeed around the period of the Portuguese colonial wars in Africa. Armeiro, I am sure you will be able to shed a ton of light on this, so I await your responses with bated breath... Next, I learned something I didn't know about the Portuguese AR-10 bayonets (which are something of an information black hole); that they have serial numbers on the scabbard! I cannot tell if the first number on mine is a "7" or a "1," but if it is the former, this would probably mean it was issued paired with a particular rifle. Oh, to find that rifle... Here's a look at it:  Finally, here are some more good pictures of this fine bayonet, just for the sake of AR-10 bayonet porn!             |
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Posted: 12/11/2013 4:29:51 AM EDT
[#1]
Very nice find. Did you find it in USA? or elsewhere?
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Posted: 12/11/2013 7:00:54 AM EDT
[#2]
The first digit of the S/N appears to be a 7 see the dash through it? That's typical of a European "7"
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Posted: 12/11/2013 7:08:50 AM EDT
[#3]
I'm guessing the handle scales were a bit loose so he shimmed them with a little paper...very cool. A piece of history that connects you to the former user.
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Posted: 12/11/2013 7:11:24 AM EDT
[#4]
Nice - great pics too. So what is the significance of the triangle marking on the blade?
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Posted: 12/11/2013 8:36:49 AM EDT
[#5]
Very cool! Once I get back east I'll have to take down a few of the rougher ones and have a look. I'm certain that a few of the Portuguese scabbards have letters scratched in.
Last year at SAR I saw a very rough porto bayonet for $300. This year I saw a very nice sudanese bayonet for $950 but I passed, as I have my sudanese AR collection needs covered. PTRS |
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Posted: 12/11/2013 8:53:07 AM EDT
[#6]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
Nice - great pics too. So what is the significance of the triangle marking on the blade? That's the AI logo (Artillerie Inrichtingen). The Dutch company that made the bayos--and manufactured most of the early AR10s (and improved the design considerably). OP, great find--now I want to go home and check mine for scraps of paper! |
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Posted: 12/11/2013 9:03:56 AM EDT
[#7]
Thanks mike62; much obliged! For the pictures I have to credit my wife, who has one of the newest iPhones; the camera on those things is great. Not that it's too bad on my Gen-4, but hers is definitely better.
As for your question, the triangle there is the stylized logo of Artillerie Inrichtingen of Hemburg-Zaandam Holland, which was the Dutch state arsenal that got the license to produce the original AR-10. They made them for Sudan, Guatemala, a few for Cuba, Indonesia (according to recent research), and Portugal. Its presence on the bayonet basically means that this is the genuine article, made at the same plant as the rifles. Then again, not only would I not begrudge a faithful reproduction of the AR-10 bayonet, but I'd shake the hand of the man who could make such a convincing forgery, with artifact, wear, authentic finish, and all. |
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Posted: 12/11/2013 9:06:03 AM EDT
[#8]
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Posted: 12/11/2013 9:06:42 AM EDT
[#9]
Hi Timkel,
Yes, I found this in the US. It was part of a sale of a large collection of bayonets. The seller did correctly identify it, but he gave me a square deal; $250 with shipping and insurance! I am certain he, nor any previous owners (save the paratrooper who added it) knew about the newspaper scraps. I'm not sure whether that would have affected the price, but it sure was a cool historical connection.
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Posted: 12/11/2013 9:35:57 AM EDT
[#10]
Quote HistoryQuoted: Hi Timkel, Yes, I found this in the US. It was part of a sale of a large collection of bayonets. The seller did correctly identify it, but he gave me a square deal; $250 with shipping and insurance! I am certain he, nor any previous owners (save the paratrooper who added it) knew about the newspaper scraps. I'm not sure whether that would have affected the price, but it sure was a cool historical connection. |
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Posted: 12/12/2013 8:16:20 AM EDT
[#11]
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Posted: 12/12/2013 8:36:04 AM EDT
[#12]
Went home last night intending to take a close look at my bayo. Turns out I have no flippin' idea where I stashed it.
I have really got to clean that office! |
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Posted: 12/12/2013 8:44:14 AM EDT
[#13]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
Went home last night intending to take a close look at my bayo. Turns out I have no flippin' idea where I stashed it. I have really got to clean that office! This happens to me also...I know I put "it" in a safe spot!!! Eventually run across what I was looking for at some time in the future. Still can't find my darn spare factory key for my truck & I don't feel like spending $50 or more for a spare. Just went a got a regular key cut so I could as least unlock the door if necessary...darn CRS!! |
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Posted: 12/12/2013 11:15:43 AM EDT
[#14]
Took out one of the AR10s a couple weeks ago. Went to grab some mags and they were all gone. No where to be found.
Came across plenty of waffles, but all for .223, not 7.62. Was starting to think I'd have to take an FAL instead, then saw a closed cardboard box sitting on a shelf. Pulled it down, and sure enough--there they were, all neatly stacked. Apparently I had "put them away" during one of my (aborted) recent attempts to organize the room. My naturally messy mind simply blocked that memory. ...Maybe I'm just not cut out to have a neat man cave. |
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Posted: 12/12/2013 12:50:11 PM EDT
[#15]
Just wait until that CRS becomes full-fledged CRAFT.
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Posted: 12/13/2013 1:37:45 AM EDT
[#16]
I wonder if it is possible that the paper was soaked with cosmoline/oil and tucked into the scabbard to help keep the blade from rusting? It is really amazing that a small scrap of paper that has no real monetary value can spark the interest of so many of us just trying to imagine how long it has been there, why was it put there in the first place, and the places it has traveled to.
Doc |
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Posted: 12/14/2013 3:54:01 PM EDT
[#17]
Quote HistoryQuoted: I wonder if it is possible that the paper was soaked with cosmoline/oil and tucked into the scabbard to help keep the blade from rusting? It is really amazing that a small scrap of paper that has no real monetary value can spark the interest of so many of us just trying to imagine how long it has been there, why was it put there in the first place, and the places it has traveled to. Doc Based on where it was, and how now the metal and polymer pieces of the scabbard are loose, I would say it was definitely put there as a shim. I am currently trying to decide how I should snug the thing up now. Obviously, anything like glue or epoxy are way out; I don't want to do anything to change the original configuration of it. In fact, I think a new ring of newspaper might be just the ticket!
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Posted: 12/17/2013 8:55:03 PM EDT
[#18]
Dug through the bayonets, Portuguese and Sudanese and found some interesting things with little more than a cursory look..
SR#'s, Initials and a names on a pommel...two scabbard and one hand guard. I know I have hand guards, pistols grips and butt stocks, both plastic and aluminum that are marked in a wide assortment of ways. I'll have to look close, document and take photos before the junior g men have BATF&E beating on the door down over the XM177 E moderator cut away.. LOL!  Pls pull down the tin foil hat tighter and think guys !!! I've been in this hobby for over 30 years
Images will follow gents Later PTRS |
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Posted: 12/19/2013 3:22:23 PM EDT
[#19]
OK Images.. 3 rd attempt as the server at the office will not let me get them posted.. I pissed off our IT man and he is way too over worked to deal with me... ! LOL!
If they get up here, the "verbage" will follow. I have a Christmas party to get to... PTRS 
http://i1287.photobucket.com/albums/a637/PTRSATG/IMG_20131219_152207_831_zpshwvkkesk.jpg http://i1287.photobucket.com/albums/a637/PTRSATG/IMG_20131219_152235_056_zpsfpatkeya.jpg http://i1287.photobucket.com/albums/a637/PTRSATG/IMG_20131219_152413_772_zpsgkxqbeuv.jpg http://i1287.photobucket.com/albums/a637/PTRSATG/IMG_20131219_152702_497_zpso0iaq3bs.jpg http://i1287.photobucket.com/albums/a637/PTRSATG/IMG_20131219_152843_877_zps44hgmeaj.jpg http://i1287.photobucket.com/albums/a637/PTRSATG/IMG_20131219_152615_661_zps9obukus5.jpg |
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Posted: 12/19/2013 3:25:48 PM EDT
[#20]
OK Images.. 3 rd attempt as the server at the office will not let me get them posted.. I pissed off our IT man and he is way too over worked to deal with me... ! LOL!
If they get up here, the "verbage" will follow. I have a Christmas party to get to... PTRS
http://i1287.photobucket.com/albums/a637/PTRSATG/IMG_20131219_152207_831_zpshwvkkesk.jpg http://i1287.photobucket.com/albums/a637/PTRSATG/IMG_20131219_152235_056_zpsfpatkeya.jpg http://i1287.photobucket.com/albums/a637/PTRSATG/IMG_20131219_152413_772_zpsgkxqbeuv.jpg http://i1287.photobucket.com/albums/a637/PTRSATG/IMG_20131219_152702_497_zpso0iaq3bs.jpg http://i1287.photobucket.com/albums/a637/PTRSATG/IMG_20131219_152843_877_zps44hgmeaj.jpg http://i1287.photobucket.com/albums/a637/PTRSATG/IMG_20131219_152615_661_zps9obukus5.jpg |
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Posted: 12/25/2013 4:03:19 PM EDT
[#21]
Merry Christmas to all...
To continue... The Sundanese bayos are marked 722 in Arabic and scratched SR# on handle as 1781. What I would say are your basic Sudanese contact issued bayonets... As for the name on the one Portuguese bayo I can't really be sure what the name is on the it.. I and one of my buddies say "Randy?" I'll try highlighting it with whiteout tomorrow and see what I can... As for the paper found in the Port bayo, I would guess it was used to tighten the CS sleeve in the carrier portion of the scabbard. This would be my best assumption, as the two metal tabs are missing from the outer keeper witch it slides into. See image. 
A closer image of the name on the Port bayonet. 
PTRS |
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Posted: 12/25/2013 4:06:54 PM EDT
[#22]
Merry Christmas to all...
To continue... The Sundanese bayos are marked 722 in Arabic and scratched SR# on handle as 1781. What I would say are your basic Sudanese contact issued bayonets... As for the name on the one Portuguese bayo I can't really be sure what the name is on the it.. I and one of my buddies say "Randy?" I'll try highlighting it with whiteout tomorrow and see what I can... Pommel is the wrong term it should be referred to a the Guard I guess.. As for the paper found in the Port bayo, I would guess it was used to tighten the CS sleeve in the carrier portion of the scabbard. This would be my best assumption, as the two metal tabs are missing from the outer keeper witch it slides into. See image.
A closer image of the name on the Port bayonet.
PTRS |
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