The L1A2 might well have been the Australian version of the bayonet too in much the same way as Aust used L2 for the auto L1A1 rifle while the Poms used L2 for their Sterling SMG versions. But in UK service, the A2 designation was set aside for future manufacture by outside contractors in order to make best use.............. etc. In exactly the same way as other items I can think off (Sterling magazines, Milan firing posts for a start!).
But there is no dispute with the L1A1 and 3 versions. As we all seem to agree, except for minor trivial detail that in short they are either MADE as L1A1's, CONVERTED to L1A3's or MADE as L1A3's to the original drawings at the ROF's* (or BSA) to the original drawing and material spec. And yes, there are several minor approved variables
L1A4 - Surely, leaving aside all the hypothesis, if it WASN'T a continuation/advancement of the L1A2 (using the L1A2 prefix originally set aside for commercial manufacturers), then why bother calling it a totally new A4 beast? I'll tell you why! Because ancestry wise an A4 is a numerical advancement of the commercially made/proposed variant of the obsolete A2, complete with minor approved variables in much the same way as the A3 has several minor/insignificant - but approved - variables.
I say that based on my belief in the bleedin obvious and it's ancestral lineage - exactly as we were taught (but probably didn't take on board of course)
* Been told that there are Fazakerley made bayonets too, all of which will be L1A1's converted to L1A3's. I haven't seen one but must admit to not being one for bayonet spotting in the past!
And there's something else too. Way off piste of course but...... It is well known that Sterling used to buy back scrap/Sterling SMG's and both No5 and L1 type Bayonets to salvage the what was called 'welded detail' (the brazed on parts). They unpicked the 'welded detail' (the brazed parts - the nose caps, butts and bayonet standards were all re-used) on the scrap gun casings were all re-used in current gun production and bayonet parts were used on a part payment basis for bayonets against military orders requiring bayonets. We also know from the markings that these salvaged L1 parts were used on L1A4 commercial bayonets and that the Sterling bayonet makers produced 'Sterling' bayonets using L1 bayonet blades fitted with Sterling pommels and crosspieces. But alas, L1 type steel grip plates containing most of the markings listed above. Just total hybrids!
Buggers....... just pressed wrong button before I'd finished ..........
But I was just about to say that we MUST disagree about the design of the fluted flash eliminator. That fluted design of flash eliminator was designed almost by accident, developed at the old RMCS at Shrivenham and patented by the UK War Office/MoD. Long expired patents now but it was a source of pride that the design came from there. In fact one of the first drawings/sketches is illustrated in the Sten Gun book. More to it than that of course.......
While the bayonet catch, standard, crosspiece and blade of the L1 might well be Canadian in 'design', I have to say that on balance, and I won't be the only one looking slightly bewildered here, but they just look sort-of like a UK 1944 designed No5 bayonet shape, length and general configuration. Why......, even the scabbards interchange! Add to that a sort-of slightly more complicated No1 bayonet spring loaded attachment 'design' *and there you have what I'd call 'engineering plagarism!. Back to mowing the lawn...........
*I bet Tankie and Skippy have had to drill out a few (hundred.....) of those SCREW, retainer, plunger catch at the end of the pommel after the slot had failed due to corrosion or other damage. Made worse by the strange thread form when you had to re-tap the hole!