Repro Australian machete bayonet

[smle addict]

Picked this up last week at an AZ gunshop. Its a repro 1944 machete bayonet for the SMLE rifle. Looks to be a high quality AIA made copy. Back in the early 2000's, I remember IMA had these for sale for around $185. They were pretty roughly made, and I believe, were produced in India. The scabbards all looked to be original surplus items. I passed, only because the quality just wasnt there.

As I was poking around the gunshop, I saw this one amongst a batch of foreign bayonets. I didnt know AIA made these in the 2000's as well, and I certainly didnt know they came dated, stamped and serial numbered. And it is far more dimensionally correct than the previous reproductions. The price was $125, and I took the plunge. I figured it might be my only chance to own a facsimile, as the originals are rare and priced well out of my budget. It has the repro scabbard, but for the money, it didnt seem like too big of a risk.

I cant seem to find any info on AIA (other than scarcity of their rifles). Any body have any more insight on these?

Information

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[browningautorifle]

Nice copy, the originals were very close. I knew of one around here but haven't seen any of those.

[RCS]

Just as rare as the Model 1903 bolo bayonets too

[Bruce_in_Oz]

Those bayonets SHOULD be "close".

They were made using copies of the original Lithgow drawings, for both the bayonet components and the gauge for the final form of the blade.

The bit of history missed by a lot of "enthusiasts" was that these bayonets were devised for Australia's rapidly developing Airborne troops in WW2. Airborne troops? They took part in some f the more "interesting" back-water campaigns in the SW Pacific. Australia also fielded Ski Troops in the mountains of Syria and Lebanon, just because they could.

Anyway, officially, and on the drawings, the bayonet in question is referred to as; "Bayonet, Parachutist".

It plugs straight onto a No1 Rifle nose-cap. Ditto the nose caps on the trials "shortened and lightened" carbines trialed around the same time. The correct name for these carbines is: Rifle.303", Intermediate, of which there were a couple of variations. These lead to the Rifle, No1 MkIII*, Lightened Patt. (Aust). often "short-handed" as the "No.6" series.

[smle addict]

Thanks for the info!

[browningautorifle]

Or the Krag Bowie...