Help with Regimental Marking

[marysdad]

I'm trying to ID a regimental marking on a Pattern 1888 bayonet. The marking is: P.T.D. over 2.5 (possibly 3.5)

The bayonet has both British and South African ownership marks and the regimental is lined out. So, the regimental could be either British or SA.

I have searched high and low and can't find any info. Any help would be most appreciated.

Ralph

Information

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[shippingsteel]

You also shouldn't rule out British OTC's (school/college cadet corps), have seen these marked with those ID's before.
Some photos of the markings may provide some clues, and also the dates on the bayonet may be useful in narrowing the search. Cheers.

[marysdad]

The bayonet was made by Wilkinson and is dated March of 1902. Here are some pics of the markings. Sorry for the poor pics, but they're all I have. It's curious that the hilt and scabbard fittings are painted in a tan or sand color.

[shippingsteel]

Definitely has a strange appearance to it. Paint could be a desert cam for WW2 - I believe the SA's were still using these bayonets at that time (not sure on which rifle though.?)
The rack number does not have a point between the numbers, that is part of the cancel out stamp - it is shaped like a "propellor" with a centre "hub", or in this case "dot".
The markings do look strange to me, probably because they are more modern than we would be expecting to find on one of these bayonets. Cheers.

[bigduke6]

Anything re issued would normally have a straight line or two across the original regt etc, the marks on this remind me of marks on a Nepal Martini Henry I have. Any ideas Old Smithy ?

[old-smithy]

Never seen pommel marks like these or a painted 88 for that matter, although a lot of their 07's were painted this sand color. The South Africans actually made 88's in WWII so its use is documented





The above picture is a WWII made 88 made by the South African Railways, probably therefore for their police forces

[gew8805]

Carl, wonderful information, thanks for posting that example. I had never heard that the P88 was made by anyone as late as the Second World War.

[gsimmons]

Were the SA police forces issued MLE's or RIC type carbines? Or was the P88 used like a fighting knife?

[old-smithy]

Sorry I have no idea on the rifles, it is something i shoudl study up on, but baldes takes all my time and money.

I also have Scabbards for the 88's made in WWII for the UK Navy and one used by the Indians in Kenya marked 41. It seems these rifles lasted a long time, probably in second line service, I believe the NAvy were dock guards (single shot rifles to fight of the German para's with MP38's

[marysdad]

Just wanted to say Thank You for the great information!