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Just thought I'd make a small contribution with some photos of my recent purchase, as I'm very pleased with it. There is no indication that it has been on a rifle. There is hardly a mark on the blued finish and it still has a lot of grease on it.
The spring loaded catch shows the usual SM but only a 4 is apparent, otherwise it seems to carry all the usual markings. I did notice a tiny stamped C on the outer curve of the socket, no photo as this ended up too blurred to use.
Ian.
Interesting point, that the grooves don't go through the tip.
My one came from the bunch in the photographs attached. I bought it from a seller in Greece.
That's a lot to have in one place at the same time...and all nice and blue. Marks look good though.
Hi Jim,
the guy said he only found a handful of cruciforms in 5000 spike bayonets. I'm wondering if he bought a load from the Greek government. Did we sell a load of No4 Enfields with other kit to Greece?
I'd like to know what US2 stands for and why there is only a 4 and not 41 or 42.
Ian.
I think post war we sold (gifted?) large numbers of small arms to both Italy and Greece.
Post war, communism was regarded as a serous threat to the fragile govenments in newly liberated countries.
Beefing up security to prevent them from sliding into civil war was probably a very good idea.
For the UK and the US it was a no brainer really, as we both had absolutely enoumous stockpiles of surplus ordinance following WW2.
Why yes there were a huge number of #4s and EIS went to Greece. They used them to good effect in the 1974 war in Cyprus and I believe the '64 iteration as well. You would see men in business suits with a #4 doing infantry stuff...you remember, infantry stuff?Quote:
Originally Posted by IanS
Thanks for the feedback guys, very much appreciated. You just have to ask a question on this forum and you get answers.
These bayonets must have been in store for a very long time, they look to me to be a mixed bunch of well worn and unissued. The one I bought is the one with its tip nearest to the bottom of the picture, well that's the one I chose but it doesn't seem to have the same amount of grease.
Looking at the picture again, it seems the one I chose appears to be bent. I suspect the seller sent another.
Best wishes,
Ian.
If you expand your pic you can see the faint outline of a digit, I would think a "1" beside the "4"...under the "SM" on the back of the catch. They probably struck that one with a dull deer antler...so it's faint.Quote:
Originally Posted by IanS
Hi Jim,
I noticed that earlier but didn't want to jump to conclusions, I'm happy to agree with you for obvious reasons.
Best wishes,
Ian.