I have always wanted a johnson bayonet for my collection, ( well the rifle would be nice also, but just isn't going to happen) but there were fakes 30 years ago and I have always steered clear of them all not knowing how to tell. But as new aquisitions become rarer and more expensive, I have been looking at filling some of my remaining US slots. So I have been reseaching, including what appears to be a great artical by Walt Liss, but of course theres no replacing hands on experience like you fellas have . As for ebay, have bought and sold for 10 years, well it's always hard to buy by pictures. MOST dealers anywhere are honest and back there items, and some are just stinkers. out of the 600+ transactions I've had online, I would say I was unpleased with less than half dozen, and have never been refused a refund. Some of my best buys have been online. On the other hand, 4 of my worst buys were from "reputable" dealers at shows, two of which maybe they honestly didn't know, and two expensive Swords from full time sword dealers where the dealers out and out lied and I apparently was out of my field. Bottom line, know what your looking at BEFORE you whip out the cash, online or off. Which brings us to the point of this already longwinded essay. after all the reseach I've done, I'm wondering what you all think of this ebay sale. http://cgi.ebay.com/Rare-U-S-Johnson-Model...id=p3286.c0.m14 I thought about it, and decided to research more. from what I could tell it looked good, if it wasn't a good dutch issue version, why is it wrong? I wasn't the buyer, but wondering if this was my chance to have had one. the other two on ebay are fakes( yes I see the point on the previous post, if my research is right, his isn't) he may not honestly know(not a large chance, but possible) The reason I say this, is I once read that at the end of WW11, Germany was not allowed any heavy manufacture, so what could they sell? well they turned out huge amounts of war souveners, mainly SS daggers, but alot of other edged items, to start with with actual left over parts, and later with new parts, and sold these to the US soldiers by the hundreds. They came home with unknowing vets, were war vintage but not really war artifacts, and it was only when the newer parts of lesser quality showed, that they could be told apart from the ones made a couple years earlier. with 60 years of age, its not always easy to tell. Some Revolutionary swords were also done in the 50's, to EXACT spec's, and show good patina and even as a known repro will still bring a good price.anything once made, can be reproduce exactly as the original if one wants to spend the time. Anyway Thanks ahead of the time for opinions on the bayonet, as I want to learn, and I hope all of the above doesn't offend anyone, It wasn't ment to Thanks Alan
