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displaying bayonets - seeking feeedback!

Hey folks, I have a question that I would appreciate your input on.

How would you display bayonets? Vertical? Horizontal? At an angle?

Supported in slots? With dowels in the muzzle rings, fingers under the quillions?

Me being ... well, me; I am creating a worksheet where I am measuring each bayonet, noting various dimensions that I think might be critical for building a display system for my bayonets.

One thing that I am questioning now is should the scabbard be on the bayonet, or beside it? Some of the scabbards for my bayonets are leather (metal fittings), so would that promote rust on the blade if the blade is left in? It is because of that concern that I am questioning if I should display the scabbards next to the bayonet.

I am looking for all sorts of ideas. I have a pretty wide diversity of them, so I need to accommodate several differences. Most (but not all) have muzzle rings. The muzzle rings are different diameters depending on the rifles they were designed for. Most (but not all) have scabbards. Some have frogs.

Of course the length of the blades vary significantly.

Last count was at least 19 bayonets, so I am expecting to build multiple sections/strips/pieces to hold them well.

Need input! (From the movie Short Circuit)

Thanks!!!

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Permalink Reply by Lars on February 8, 2025 at 15:27

Ok - with you being you and starting a thread like this, you knew I had to bite! I bet you're just sitting there now asking yourself "I wonder when Lars will respond?" LoL!!

So you're open to ideas....OK. First idea is to take a look at "Mikes Custom Helmet Stands" on Ebay - a solution provider for helemts and bayonets. These will be table top solutions - not wall hanging. I would be surprised if you had not already seen these. I have engaged him several times - he's been very helpful and easy to communicate with.

https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_dkr=1&iconV2Request=true&_...

Next - if wall hanging, then the next thing to do is let the bay speak for itself. In my case, if they have a scabbard, then I display with the scabbard on - mostly due to quantity and I have to store the scabbard anyway.. This requires blade and scabbard maintenance 2 or 3 times a year - but they would anyway if you're storing them properly.

Again - let the bay speak for itself when considering horizontal or vertical in the selected space in which you want to display it. I display mine if groupings...one wall has a varity of socket bayonets, another is just my Frenh pieces, while another still shows my Japanese.

I know you have some really interesting pieces - Pioneer blades and such, so those you may want to display without the scabbard. Pieces with the whole kit (bay, scabbard, frog, hangers, etc.) typically require vertical display if you want to display the whole ensemble.

What I have not been able to do (yet) is display my pieces like the Royal Armory - all on one wall in a crecent fan design. Oh I wish!

Not sure if this is helpful or not....the best thing to do is to lay them out and try a few things and see where it leads you.

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Permalink Reply by Kevin D on February 8, 2025 at 16:40

LOL! yep. I was watching the clock seeing how long it would take. <winks>

I had envisioned some sort of wall type hanging as opposed to a table top display (I don't have the room to display them on a table, mantle or other horizontal surface - either that I have too many bayonets... Nah. cannot be that!). And I also envisioned displaying them in groups. Thus far, I have managed to avoid the realm of socket bayonets. I am sure it is only a matter of time though.

My largest group would be the Japanese T30 bays. I am always on the lookout for a nice example of a as of yet unacquired series or arsenal. Of course T18 or T22 are always nice! I have never seen a T13, and before that were sockets...

Then the Swiss. I am actively looking for 2 (maybe 3) more that have the sawback design, so that group can easily expand (hopefully) soon. The remaining bays are an assortment from countries, most from about the turn of the century. 1888 to 1908. Except for a couple Enfield bays that are from WWII era. Those are completely unlike my other bayonets so they will need special consideration regardless.