New 1st gen with Blood groove

[jays00ss]

I just bought a Brand new still in cosmoline first gen LanCay with blood groove. Should I leave it in the orginal cosmoline or clean it up? Its in absolute Mint brand new condition.

Here is the link and no I didn't pay full price for it and he accepted my offer.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...tab%3DWatching

[Carlo]

Originally Posted by jays00ss

I just bought a Brand new still in cosmoline first gen LanCay with blood groove. Should I leave it in the orginal cosmoline or clean it up? Its in absolute Mint brand new condition.

Here is the link and no I didn't pay full price for it and he accepted my offer.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...tab%3DWatching

Hello!
Welcome to the "M9 family" and congratulations for your very nice looking LanCay!
I think that the decision to leave the bayonet in the original cosmoline or to clean it is very personal.
I would clean it, as I don't like the brown effect of the grease and then I'd put a small amount of gun oil to protect the blade.
I'm sure that other collectors would not touch a mint M9, leaving even the paper and tape applied from the factory to protect the wire cutter.
http://www.quarterbore.net/forums/showthread.php?t=2917
If you were concerned about the "value impact", I personally don't care if an M9 had the original grease on the blade, as long as the blade had no sign of use.
But again, this is just my personal opinion.

[pwcosol]

Although cosmoline is a good protectant, it will get drier & harder to remove over time. It also prevents one from looking at the blade in it's natural state, which is something we, as collectors, appreciate seeing. I usually ensure the bayonet is clean, & then apply a lite coating of Ballistol to the blade. This is not oil, but parrifin-based, and non-acidic. A lite coat inhibits rust, and as a lubricant helps reduce potential retention spring wear as the bayonet is removed and replaced in the scabbard.