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I do not collect edged weapons, but used to regard ground blades on bayonets and sabers as mostly post war mutilation, at least from the point of view of a collector.

But ever since getting into researching Japanese Army practices, I have come to understand that bayonets and sabers were supposed to have an edge added in preparation for field action and then dulled down with a file in peacetime, as a completely normal and expected practice. Of course we are talking about machined blades.

Although the manuals describe this as something every soldier should be doing as a routine, do collectors commonly see traces of such intentional sharpening and dulling on the items?

Here are some illustrations from the Army Master Regulations on how to set up the blade sharpening and dulling down jigs, which still make me cringe to look at.

Is it common knowledge among collectors of these edged weapons that filing on and filing off cutting edges was routine practice in the IJA?

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Morning everyone,
it is quite difficult to find Italian composite helmets out of Italy, and there is not much official documentation about them, so it seemed interesting to share some examples with you.
To begin with, I want to show you an example of Mod SEPT2 F.A. (Forze Armate), the Infantry version; there is also a model for Parachutists with shortened back flaps named T.P. (Truppe Paracadutiste).
This model of helmet, now obsolete, was made in three sizes:
Tg 1 = Largo
Tg 2 = Medium
Tg 3 = Small
It was the composite material helmet, used in the Italian Army for the longest time, about fifteen years from the mid 90s.
It resembles the shape of the US PASGT, but is a completely Italian project, made with a kevlar shell attached to a suspension system by eight bolts; adjustable suspension system allows optimization of helmet fit, and is made of a nylon straps sistem and a foam padding with leather covered.
The chinstrap could be three or four points with plastics fast release buckle marked by the NATO supplier: I.T.W. Nexus.
The surface of the shell is rough and tinted in opaque olive green and a thick rubber seal runs along the edge of the helmet.
Two types of cover could be used on these helmets:
-Woodland type (called "Continentale").
-Desert type (called "Somalia").

SEPT2 F.A. model was built by various manufacturers:
-Sistema Compositi
-Induyco S.A.
-Riparnavi
-Tencara
-RBR Ltd
-Monfrini

Below are some photos of one of my favorite examples, the one made by Spanish factory "Induyco S.A.", a very well-made realization that was distinguished by the examples of other manufacturers for:
-The surface finish olive green color lighter than the other productions.
-Three points chinstrap.

I hope it’s interesting.:D

Regards
Roberto

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This rare badge is up for sale in an European Auctionshouse, and those two pictures is all they got.
I don´t like the location of the RZM mark.
Shouldn´t the RZM mark be on the outer ring at about 7 o clock ?

All input will be highly welcomed.

Thanks in advance.

Tommy.

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I picked this up last week, and the first one for my collection

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Here are excerpts of the navy acceptance marking regulations for those who have items with the anchor markings.
The Katakana in circles indicate cities, so ト in a circle indicates Tokyo.

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Hello people I have here an unknown clasp with the Göring air force eagle.
Does anyone know if this clasp is original or is it a fake? What is the badge? I urgently need your help and thank you in advance.

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Hello
What are your thoughts on this piece.
Its silk ( 46 inches long and 1.5 inches wide).
The person i got it from said it was wrapped around a Japanese navy sword?
Thank you for your help and time
Tony

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