I have an opportunity to pick up an S/185 bayo, that has a "36" stamped behind the manufacturers code, the bayonet is in very good shape, and has never been sharpened, the scabbard is a mismatch...what's a good price to pay? I can pick it up for around 75$...thanks in advance, Chris.

ChrisPC:
If the S-code fills a place in your collection, I should buy it as a place-holder.
"S" codes in nice condition are becoming rather scarce...matching or not.
Grab it!
Jax

I agree the bayo is reasonably priced if the bard is decent & not altered (re-blue etc…)

I don’t have allot of data on these pre-37 S bayonets and it’s a fact original & matching draw premium prices as they should, but a quick look through my files show in 1936 Elite was the most “observed” of all the makers- by far.
Nothing scientific to be sure but I have 13 examples from 1936 for Elite and that is double the next maker I have “observations” on for 1936 (interestingly the next highest observed is a scarcer maker S/244 Mundlos, and they went to the “p” range at a minimum which is far more than I have for Elite- though Mundlos “apparently” made many more going by suffixs I have only half a dozen examples on file.)

Regarding the date as part of the mfg code on these S/185 36 Elites, I have a question for the bcn data collectors, the “earliest” Elite 36 I have images of is an “f” block with the date as part of the code (on the ricasso) the latest I have on file with the date as part of the code is an early “g” block- and as I have on file in the 4000 g block with the date moved to the spine I suspect that is when it was moved? Somewhere inbetween the 1000 g-4000g range? (most my observed examples are in the “g, h & k” blocks with the date moved to the spine- highest on file 7127 k)

Anyway the question, Ron Reide listed a long time ago:
“S/185 on the ricasso of the blade, 36 (for 1936) on the top spine of the blade, and '4356 c' on the other side of the blade. The scabbard would be marked S/185 and 1936 on the front of the scabbard throat and the serial number '4356 c' just above the frog stud.”
As I don’t have an example on file between the G/35 dates & before an “f” block 36 I always found that “c” block interesting and spent some time trying to find one to confirm that description; I mean before I had seen that c block described I had assumed that Elite had followed the pattern of the G blocks leaving the date on the ricasso as part of the code, but if Ron’s description is accurate then they changed that pattern at least twice?

Any observations between the G/35 Elites & before the “f” block 36’s?

Personally I have found finding information on these pre-37 S bayos quite difficult; nearly completely dependant on my files for data. I eagerly await BruceK’s second volume and hope it covers these earlier S codes as well as he did the WuK’s in his first book.

S/185 36, is the inter markings between S/185G and S/185, with 36 on spine , we have switch in f range from G to 36, in late g range was the date moved to spine of blade, best regards,Andy

Hi Chris,
I have seen that bayo. Its a mis-match. Its not collectable, unless a rare item,,i.e. 45'dated, rivet gripped,,etc,,dont waste your $. Wait for it to end, then write the guy an E amil offering him 45 bucks,,that, in my opinion, is all its worth,,and,,no serious collector will take that bayo,,,seriously

Thanks for all the input guys, I think I'm going to take Don's advice....I usually manage to find one every now and then for less...still got a good education on these bayos by posing the question though. Thanks, Chris.