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While digging out my Indian L1A3s I ran across this piece and thought I'd post a few photos. The hilt has a very bright bluing. It got washed out in the photos, but it is fully blued and has a much better finish than the later manufactured pieces.
Attachment 73097
Attachment 73098
Attachment 73099
Ricasso markings indicate Wilkinson Sword company. The grips should be removed & the tang underneath checked. For the SINGLE hole in it for the grip scales screw.
Anymore holes the in the tang other than the one for the screw shank. & it is a later more common model, with repro grips. Those grips seem to my mind at least. In far too good a
Condition, for a Bayonet that has been in Service. I could be wrong of course, not having the facility to actually handle the bayonet personally.
BUT, there MAY be some markings stamped inside either grip scale. In which case, you MAY well have an original, that escaped the later modification process. Of drilling the tang & fitting the
More efficient Two screw Grip Scaled variants! ;)
The Two screw version/ mod was introduced. Because if the bayonet received a heavy blow to either grip. They usually split/ fractured & the complete scale fell away! Two screws gave a much better chance. Of having a 'Blade' that was still 'useful' for hand to hand fighting!......Well, that's the Theory behind it anyway! :cheers:
Much better general condition to the ones we used to see. We were still getting single screw hole grips coming through the Ordnance system in the 60's. It was a bit of a menace too because you'd get two and one screw grips that wouldn't match! The true problem with the one screw grips was that if you used the bayonet as a knife (and if it looks like a knife, guess what the crunchies will use it as?) the grips would twist/rotate about the screw and split along the top and bottom edges.
While the pattern of the grips changed, the part number didn't so far as we could make out!
I recall when you could still find a single screw model for sale...at least occasionally.
I've seen two for sale in the past 40 years. I bought them both :)Quote:
Originally Posted by browningautorifle
Mine is near mint but I doubt I would get a decent return on what it cost me if it went up for sale.
I do not believe your statement is correct. The original No5 bayonets did not have a single hole in the tang. What is the source for your information?Quote:
Originally Posted by tankhunter
I thought the regular ones were unicorns. Very inreresting.
According to another discussion, the early 1 screw bayonet should have five holes in the tang. The later bayonets should have four. All single screw bayonets should be Wilkinson production.
Well, Wether you believe Me or not is your prerogative Porterkids. Having had a 'Modest' amount of time over the years, of inspecting/repairing/manufacturing/Doing Museum Restoration. Buying/Selling/Trading in small arms & their appurtences. I can tell you as a FACT. That four early No:5 Bayonets that I stripped & overhauled way back when. in each case, Every single one of them had the single hole in the tang. No, I do not have photographic evidence of this. Because, when you are doing the job of an Armourer, & have inspected/Repaired/Modified/Restrored many Thousands of them over the course of MANY Years. You do this as a course of your job, & as is usually the case. Time is against you, so stopping to pop home & get a camera. Is not the first thing on your mind!......Remember, this WAS quite a few years ago! And also, & Peter will attest to this. When executing 'The Job' on a daily basis, doing a LOT of weapons each Day. You don't really stop & scrutinise things like manufactures markings Etc. Because in General, you are performing your Tasks to Support the Unit/Workshop that you are attached to at the time.Quote:
Originally Posted by porterkids
You have to remember, that we were performing our trade as Craftsmen. NOT Collectors!... I am sure Peter like myself. Has encountered Armourers who do the job per say. But have little or no interest in collecting anything connected with the Trade.
So to answer your post that 'You do not Believe my Statement is correct'. I can only tell you what I have experienced hands on so to speak. & make my Own statement, that I am NOT a Liar!.. No one is perfect, & I am only too willing to accede to anything I may be wrong on. But in this instance, what I have posted in the bayonet Section is factual. :cheers: