Hey guys.

Never ceases to amaze me just how much money a blatantly obvious fake can still get:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISA...e=ADME:X:AAQ:US:1123

This "super rare" ersatz bayonet, meant to fool one into thinking it's the EB2 model, is actually the considerably more common (you can find examples for $150 and less easily) EB47 pattern bayonet cut down to look like an EB2.

Aside from the fact that a real EB2 has no blade fuller, the indented area on the hilt are also obvious different shapes on the EB2 and similarly hilted EB47. Nor should there be bluing on it. And there should be an inspection fraktur on the crossguard.

Check out page 93, no. 1 (EB47, what this really is cut down), and page 95 no. 2 of Jerry Janzen's "Bayonets" and pages 33 and 111 of Anthony Carters "German Bayonets: Volume III."

The seller was made fully aware of this, along with these sources. His response was that if you hold it in your hand, you could tell it was real.

The supposed Matrosen markings are also fake. One can never prove these wartime imperial german regimental markings are fake, as some did use incorrect fonts and were sometimes done in a bit of a sloppy manner. But these markings are quite poor, and the placement of the markings on the scabbard leather belt loop is quite suspect in itself. Add to that the spurious nature of the bayo itself, and, well...

The scabbard is probably real, and as such, the most valuable part of the whole rig. Someone is going to be very upset when they figure out what they have. Or rather what they DON'T have.

Also, a few people have taken to attempting to sell Anthony Carter's first book on the 98/02 and 98/05 series in softbook, available on IMA for $20, for prices like $80 and $150. I find this borderline unethical, but that's just my humble opinion. Ok, so it's not so humble.

Here is the link to IMA's offer:
http://www.ima-usa.com/product....php/products_id/433

Here are two links from ebay:
http://cgi.ebay.com/German-Bay..._trksid=p3286.c0.m14

http://cgi.ebay.com/GERMAN-BAY..._trksid=p3286.c0.m14

Just thought I would try and help fellow collectors save their money for bayos, which are definitely expensive enough as it is.

The moral of this story is ALWAYS SHOP AROUND!!

quote:

Also, a few people have taken to attempting to sell Anthony Carter's first book on the 98/02 and 98/05 series in softbook, available on IMA for $20, for prices like $80 and $150. I find this borderline unethical, but that's just my humble opinion. Ok, so it's not so humble.

Since you are making this personal.
Thank you for bringing the Carter book to my attention again.. I got my pricing from a huge online used book company called ABE BOOKS.. there is none of these books under $195.00 so I listed mine for $80.00 on e-bay. since this seems to have offended you and you are having problems I stopped the listing. Since I have learned that IMA is selling the book for $20.00 my I suggest you buy it there ( if they have any more in stock) Please,as it seems you have lots of time on your hands can you please also list the offending links on ABEBOOKS. Than you can call them names too and get off your high horse.. Regards: James

I sincerely apologize, James. It was not my intent to make anything personal, attack, name call, or pass judgment on anyone in particular. I thought I had done a good job of being tactful and objective, and letting others know when something is merely my opinion. It was wrong of me to assume that everyone selling these books for these prices had bought them on IMA and were aware of their stock and price. It was also unecessary to include links to the auctions, which, I can only guess is what you're referring to when you say I made it personal.

My only intent was to inform fellow collectors and help them either avoid fakes like the bayonet I mentioned, and find better deals. I'm sure you can appreciate the impetus behind this, even if I made the mistake of making it "personal."

Again, I apologize to you and to anyone else I may have offended.

The seller of this so called fighting knife block me from any future bids on his auctions. I'm glad he did.