Page 10 - joa-may-23

WHAT’S SELLING ON eBay
WHAT’S SELLING ON eBay

by Wayne Tuiskula

$154.26 (15 bids, 11 bidders) Antique Swedish Engineering Relic. Co., also known as K & E, was a drafting instrument and supplies compa-
Two-foot long beast of a bayonet! They aren’t making these anymore! ny founded in 1867 by two German immigrants, William J. D. Keuffel
Engineering soldier’s bayonet. Used for cutting small trees and limbs and Herman Esser. It was the first American company to specialize in these
trailblazer. Great for a wall mount or above your fireplace! Wonderful products. photos: latemodel01_2
conversation piece. Really cool. photos: mulemanscott.

WT: I should first note that the
eBay description lists this bayonet as
Swedish, but it’s actually Swiss.
Switzerland remained neutral
during World War I, but despite
their neutral status, the war caused
the country political, social, and
economic hardships. There were
internal conflicts between the
German-speaking Swiss population
and those who spoke French or
Italian. Soldiers sent to protect the
borders were poorly compensated.
When the country issued more
currency to help with its defense
efforts, it led to inflation.
However, some
industries like metals,
timber, chemicals, and
watchmaking fared
well throughout the
war and Switzer-land
exported goods from
those sectors to some
of the warring coun-
tries. Swiss farmers also WT: Keuffel and Esser is a well-known name to collectors and dealers of
saw increased prices science- and technology-related antiques. William J. D. Keuffel and
and demand. Herman Esser were German immigrants who began selling slide rules
Neutral Switzerland and drafting supplies in 1867. They added surveying instruments to their
also produced weapons offerings in 1876. In 1880, they opened a factory in Hoboken, NJ. The
to protect its borders company remained there for nearly 90 years before moving to Morristown,
during this tumultuous NJ in the late 1960s. In 1982, Keuffel and Esser filed for bankruptcy and
time. One of the the company was purchased by Azon Corporation.
weapons they manu- The Hoboken Historical Society notes that Keuffel and Esser issued
factured was M1914 45 different catalogs to sell their products. Their slide rules were their best-
sawback bayonet. The selling tools. Keuffel and Esser also became the leading purveyor of tools
sawback blades were and instruments for engineers, surveyors and the military.
introduced well before My research turned up several Keuffel and Esser model 5085 survey
the war and date back transits. It should also be noted that Keuffel and Esser produced different
to the 19th century. The saw teeth could be used for cutting vegetation, variations of the 5085 model. The example that sold on eBay was listed as
barbed wire and other obstacles. This M1914 bayonet was used on the a 5085cf. One listed as a model 5085 featuring the original box and tripod
Schmidt-Rubin M1911 carbine and M1931 Short Rifle. The bayonets sold at Bonhams Skinners in October 2021 for $344. Another also listed
were originally produced with leather scabbards and later with steel scabbards. as a 5085 was marked “sold” on a dealer’s website. The description said
A “Swiss mdl. (model) 1914 Pioneer Bayonet” sold for $150 at that Keuffel and Essers’ catalog listed it as an Engineers Transit.
Thomaston Place Auction Galleries in March 2023 and a “Swiss M1914 It was marked sold with an asking price of $495. Despite the wear on the
sawback bayonet and scabbard” brought $170 at Quinn's Auction eBay example, it looks like the buyer did well according to my survey of
Galleries during the same month. This eBay example was close to the aver- auction prices.
age selling price, with the buyer earning a slight edge on the deal.
Wayne Tuiskula is the auctioneer/appraiser at Central Mass Auctions of Boston
$185.50 (24 bids, 4 bidders) Antique & Original Keuffel & Esser and Worcester, MA. https://centralmassauctions.com/ He has GPPA credentials
5085cf Survey Transit. This antique Keuffel & Esser 5085cf survey tran- from the National Auctioneers Association and has been a collectibles appraiser for PBS
Antiques Roadshow. He can be reached at info@centralmassauctions.com
sit comes with its original box and is all original. The Keuffel and Esser
or 508-612-6111.

8 Journal of Antiques and Collectibles