Let’s say you have a militarily significant bayonet such as an M1 bayonet, or something even older like an M98 butcher bayonet. These military collectibles are relatively rare, historically valuable, and when properly cared for, hold their value well.

The keyword there, however, is care, qualified by “properly”. Here are some tips to keep your military collectibles in good shape, particularly your bayonets, so that they hold their historical (and actual) value.

Be Cautious About Restoration

Consider an aging bayonet with a dark patina on the blade and severe oxidation on the handles or scales. You might be thinking that you want to intensively restore that item.

Reconsider. Restoration involves sanding, buffing, and other physically (and sometimes chemically) intensive processes that, while they may restore the original look and impression of the bayonet, often do more harm than good.

Consider the signs of age as part of the charm of the piece at this point. It comes with the territory.

Light Cleaning Is a Different Story

If you have a spot of rust on the blade, or the handle scales are excessively dirty, that’s a different story. Rust will spread if not removed, and dirt does no favors.

Just make sure you handle the implement responsibly and use only light detergents for cleaning; warm water and a microfiber rag with no soap is best, if possible, and light steel wool to remove spots of rust.

Handle with Care

Rather, that should say, handle as little as possible, as oils in your skin can cause corrosion and pitting of the blade, as well as damage to the handle scales.

If you do handle the bayonet, either for inspection, enjoyment, education, or presentation, do so with light cotton gloves that will help prevent transferring oils from your skin to the artifact.

Emphasize Protection Against Corrosion

There are two main things you can do to prevent rust, as well as further general deterioration of the bayonet.

One is to store the bayonet wisely. It should be kept in a cool, dry, and relatively dark location. Below 70% humidity is best, and lower is even better. Direct sunlight should be avoided and you should store the bayonet either in the dark or in a UV-protective case if possible.

Also, the blade and handle should be protected with a museum-quality, microcrystalline wax that will help further protect against rust, corrosion, and other damage. A light coat of such a wax, such as Renaissance Wax, should help protect your investment.

Store Outside the Scabbard

Lastly, it’s advisable to store the bayonet outside of its scabbard, as the scabbard can trap moisture that will accelerate corrosion. You can store them together, but leave the blade outside of the scabbard.

Here for a Historical Reproduction to Round Out Your Collection?

Hopefully you found this short guide covering historical bayonet preservation and storage helpful, but if you landed here in search of a place where you could find historical reproductions rather than original collectibles, visit BudK. They carry a wide range of historical and relatively contemporary bayonet reproductions, some of them highly utilitarian and all of them of high quality. Visit their website to learn more today.

For More Information About Daggers and Self Defense Weapons Please Visit: BudK Worldwide Inc.