An Experiment

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Originally Posted by Neuraleanus

My No. 1, Mk III rifle tends to shoot high at 100 yards. It is my understanding that the presence of a bayonet affects the height accuracy.

Real 1907 pattern bayonets are rather scarce and expensive, but I noticed that Sarco has 1907 bayonets of modern manufacture, not original, for only $75 USD:

I went ahead and purchased one these and it appears to fit the rifle quite well:

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What's your impression of the build quality?

I wonder if original RFI blades or complete bayonets are being used to make these?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Neuraleanus

My No. 1, Mk III rifle tends to shoot high at 100 yards. It is my understanding that the presence of a bayonet affects the height accuracy.

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Unless you are using MKVI or MKVII ammunition the following will be of no use to you.

Fitting a bayonet onto a SMLE and using MKVII ammunition results in an increase in height of the POI

Source :
“Musketry Regulations Part 1”
1909 (With Amendments 1914)
Issued by the General Staff – War Office.

Summary :
With a SMLE & with MkVI ammunition there is no effect to the POI when the bayonet is fixed.
With a SMLE & with MkVII ammunition there is a 4 feet Rise in POI at 600 yds when the bayonet is fixed.
With a Lee Metford, or CLLE there is a 6 feet drop, and 2 feet to the right change in the POI at 600 yds when using MkVI ammunition with the bayonet fixed.
With a Lee Metford, or CLLE there is a negligible effect in the POI when using MkVII ammunition with the bayonet fixed.

YES – that is correct – with the CLLE / Lee Metford the POI is NOT AFFECTED when using MkVII with the bayonet fixed, but with the SMLE the POI is NOT AFFECTED when using MkVI with the bayonet fixed..

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Originally Posted by Surpmil

What's your impression of the build quality?

I wonder if original RFI blades or complete bayonets are being used to make these?

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The build quality seems satisfactory with the correct dimensions. The primary difference between the Sarco blade and an original is that the entire blade is blackened while the originals had a bright finish.