Bayonet marking

[Dumby]

Hello everyone, I bought my first bayonet today for a No.4 MkI and what better place to share it than here.
First of all here it is;
http://i177.photobucket.com/albums/w206/Eviltough/IMG_1359.jpg

I tried to take a picture of the marking but I'm not having any success with my camera focusing. There's a small V with what looks like an upsidown U (or maybe a C or maybe an O) above it. If anyone knows what it is or where I can look up some of the stamps for comparison that would be great to know. Thanks in advance if you do.

[Jean]

It is a British MkII* bayonet for the N04 MKI rifles, photo of markings to small and not clear enough to determine manufacturer.

[Badger]

Your camera needs a "macro focus" or "magnify close-up" setting for some of the small stuff. I really can't see much from you pic, but check this site....

Lee Enfield Rifle Markings (click here) (http://home.earthlink.net/~smithkaia8/index.html)

Hope this helps...

Regards,
Bagder

[John Sukey]

If it's a No4MkII*,I would guess it was made by Prince-Smith and Stells
Prince-Smith & Stells, (N56) 1,057,515
Howard and Bullough (N30) 161,026
Baird Engineering (N96) 75,000
Lewisham Engineering (S376) 84,566

[sdh1911]

I hate to say, I just don't know enough about that species to comment. We have thousands of those style bayonets in the local circuit but, I have just not gotten around to studying them yet. I know Savage made some and I'll be needing a couple in the future, but, don't know the value factor-SDH

[Badger]

I hate to say, I just don't know enough about that species to comment. We have thousands of those style bayonets in the local circuit but, I have just not gotten around to studying them yet. I know Savage made some and I'll be needing a couple in the future, but, don't know the value factor-SDH

What would be nice would be a side-by-side pictorial display with all the versions in the genre.... :madsmile:

Regards,
Badger

[Jean]

Spike bayonets

A) They are 4 basic types of bayonets:
- No4 MKI Cruciform
- No4 MKII
- No4 MKII*
- No4 MKIII

B) About six variations of scabbards

C) Dozens of makers with many variations in markings (at least two large books have been written on the subject).

[A square 10]

this might help a little - sorry the photo is not larger , but , there are a number of sites with excelent photos and grahm preists book - spirit of the spike , is a source for data as well as the LES and other referances ,
http://i144.photobucket.com/albums/r188/Asquare10/MIKESBAYONETS007.jpg

your seeing from right to left -
no7 [with red grip scales-there are black too ]
no9 [there is a south african version too - has a blade like a US M3/4/5/6/7]
no5 [for the no5 rifle]
mkIII[welded version , from 7 stamped pieces - very crude looking]
mkII* [spike is welded to socket - definite step in the shank]
mkII [smooth spike - these are fairly finished looking]
mkI cruciform [the shaft is fluted]

im sure someone with a more comprehensive collection than mine can fill in the no6 , and no8 , for simplicity sake
ill not post the earlier ones here