General questions about early Lancays

[vzlion]

1. Did all first contract Lancays have a blood grove?
2. Product improved Lancays were supposed to have a shorter sawtooth, the step on top of the blade removed and a black finish. Some were completed with these improvements, minus the black finish, to complete the first contract. Where do the ones without the blood groove, but with long sawtooth spine, the step and the gray finish fit in?
Thanks
Walt

[pwcosol]

VZ: Take a look @ this QB link about the production history of LanCay:
http://www.quarterbore.net/forums/showthread.php?t=86
I think it will help with your questions.

[vzlion]

Thanks PWCOSOL. I've read that. Actually, that's the basis of my second question. According to the article the Product Improved knives should not have a blood grove, but should have a shorter sawtooth, no step and a black blade. It also says the first knives of the Product Improved batch met those specs except for the black blade. Yet, I have one that seems to fit in between, it seems to be identical to the first order but doesn't have a blood groove.

[Carlo]

According to the article the Product Improved knives should not have a blood grove, but should have a shorter sawtooth, no step and a black blade. It also says the first knives of the Product Improved batch met those specs except for the black blade. Yet, I have one that seems to fit in between, it seems to be identical to the first order but doesn't have a blood groove.

Hello!
I will try to answer your questions.
As you have read in the article, a very small group (around 1000) of bayonets was used to complete the last part of the first contract.
These bayonets had all the specifications of the second contract blade, minus the black finish.
A forum member posted pictures of one of these. Take a look here
http://www.quarterbore.net/forums/showthread.php?t=2573 and notice that there is no "step" on the blade near the guard.
On the other side, the first contract blades were manufactured:
1. with the blood groove (fuller);
2. with a shallower blood groove (very small number);
3. without the blood groove (these are more common).
Based on your message, I believe you have one of the first contract blade (above n. 3).
Why don't you post a picture?

[vzlion]

Thanks very much for your response. Yes, mine is apparently the No. 3 in your description. I have seen these described as being early "Product Improved" on eBay and they don't seem to fit into the scheme of things. I don't have the capability to post a picture at this time.
Thanks again.
Walt