Unusual No. 4 Scabbard

[Rule .303]

This is my first post so excuse me if I'm in the wrong quadrant of Cyberspace.

I picked up this No. 4 Enfield bayonet scabbard while ago and have never seen one this shape. Is it for a post war Enfield? MkII maybe?
The markings a "W" in a recessed circle with the Broad arrow stamped over it.

[jmoore]

So sorry, never paid much attention to the scabbard throat before. Otherwise it SEEMS to be a regular old WWII assembly.

Welcome to the forums! I like the question. Now you'll make me actually look, once I get home...

[madcratebuilder]

I know of five different variations, three are metal and two are plastic. Still collecting the different markings.

This link should help.

Country Page (http://www.worldbayonets.com/Bayonet_Identification_Guide/Britian__No__4_Spike_Bayonet_/britain_spikes_2.html)

[Strangely Brown]

Is it metal with the flat base?

[Rule .303]

Wonderful site on the No. 4 Scabbards & Bayo's.

Yup, it's a Mk II scabbard made by Franco-British Elec. After looking closer on the finial, it's stamped "S191".

Black paint over blued steel? Definately a "W" under the broad arrow.

[Peter Laidler]

Apparently steel mouthpieces are rare and uncommon. the machined, cast and sintered mazak alloys are common.

The alloy was useless because as you tightened the 6BA mouthpiece screw it would strip the thread. They were ALL loose and every one that went through workshops had to have a new mouthpiece. We had boxes and boxes of them and No5 bayonet scabbard mouthpieces (brass and steel there of course). When I wanted a couple of No4 mouthpieces a couple of years ago, they'd all gone.............. but zillions of the mouthpiece springs!

[Rule .303]

I think you misunderstood- The tube is paint over blued steel, the mouthpiece appears to be an alloy.

[Surpmil]

I think you misunderstood...
....;)

[Peter Laidler]

Just what did we all 'misunderstood'?

[Surpmil]

Peter, I think the OP thought you had understood him to say he had a steel throat in his scabbard, when you were merely mentioning their rarity as an aside.

I think...!

[Enfield trader]

that came with a group of spikes I bought some years ago. Not sure on the markings though........... One in numbered in white paint 255 and so is the MKI cruciform bayonet that is in it.

http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2003-11/469925/No4spikesvarious.jpg

[Mk VII]

They can be described as 'somewhat uncommon' but not really scarce.
The plastic one with the integral frog, however, is hardly ever seen with the frog in place. Most appear to have remained in store without it fitted.