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Has anyone out there in bayonet land got a photo of Indian troops with the 12" long L1A1/SLR bayonet. I've just acquired an RFI - 65 example. I've done a quick metallurgy steel sample on the blade and it's certainly good quality and comparable in content to ours and their standard baynets of the era.
Any takers................
Peter, I have one myself in my own collection (Bayonet) Nearly all I have encountered over here are missing thier scabbards! I managed to obtain one. Is your missing also?
I have information if you need one, as to who has some for sale. (Overseas)
Think its time for a new tape measure Peter, RFI SLR is 10" the RFI SMLE is 12", I couldnt find any pics when I was looking, sods law when your looking for something never any to be seen, and when your not looking they are everywhere.
Tankhunter, would be interested in the info you have regarding a scabbard.
Mine's got a scabbard thanks Big Duke. You're right, it IS 10" long and not 12" but when you're a bloke like me, it's easy to get 10" and 12" confused. But as I think to my self occasionally, when you've got one that's 10" long, what do you need a 12 inch one for! Ho ho....., the old ones are always the best..............
International Military Antiques have scabbards:
Military Antiques, Military Collectibles and Militaria Indian Army Bowie Bayonet Scabbard- 1960?s FAL Rifle IMA-USA.COM
However, they quoted me a shipping price to the UK that was more than the price of the scabbard. Fortunately I have since been able to source one from within the UK.
In the Skennerton book there is also a standard 8" blade version of the Indian SLR bayonet, but I have never seen one for sale. Were they a trials pattern or something?
Mark
Quote:
Originally Posted by Peter Laidler
Yes Peter, But has it been 'Deactivated' D.P.d!!!!...........LOL!
---------- Post added at 05:12 AM ---------- Previous post was at 05:09 AM ----------
Quote:
Originally Posted by bigduke6
Periginvs has covered the source I got mine from. I.M.A shipping is expensive, BUT, if you combine it all with other items. Then it works out better. A Bayonet without a scabbard can be picked up CONSIDERABLY cheaper. Than one with a scabbard! You dont encounter scabbards for sale on thier own, anywhere near as often as Bayonets on thier own! (Good point to be made when purchsing at the time to get the price down!)
Thanks for the link, another naked blade can now be decent lol
BUT, has anyone got a pictre of an Indian Army soldier with a long bayonet?
I had a few moments this morning Peter, so I tried to do some quick Internet searches for you to see if I could find anything. The only thing that initially turned up was a general pic of Indian troops with their Enfields, but I can't see any bayonets in the photo. I'll do a more extensive search for you later when I get finished with entertaining the grand kids. :lol:Quote:
Originally Posted by Peter Laidler
Regards,
Doug
I was thinking SLR rifles with the long 10" bayonets Doug.
They are quite interesting because while they are for the Indian made UK spec L1A1 rifle with our flash eliminator configuration, they are made to the No5 spec with regards to the grip screw hole centres. That is approx .85" between centres for the No5 and Indian 10" L1A1 bayonet and 1.25" approx for the L1A1 rivet hole centres
Peter, Does' this mean that you are Officially 'A Rivit Counter' now?.....................LOL!Quote:
Originally Posted by Peter Laidler
Yes..... I've got to watch it in case I turn into a bit of a bayonet train spotter!
Ok Mate, Iv'e 'Got the point'.... Now!...Groan! You 'Cut a Dash' with your reply, you 'Gay Blade' you! No 'Cutting Remarks' now, You already 'Have the Edge'! We dont want to hear you getting 'Fuller' yourself! 'Socket' to 'em Peter! No, there's no 'Catch'. Id' better stop now as I dont want to risk getting 'Pommeled'!.....:madsmile: :wave:Quote:
Originally Posted by Peter Laidler
:runaway:
Just got the long scabbard from IMA, very nice paid for the choice option and it is near mint. It also came with an excellent catelog that clearly states the blued No5's from IMA marked with RFI are copies
Here's some Indian's using the long bayonet on their 1A1 SL Rifles
https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo.../12/0546-1.jpg
RFI-66 marked Bayonet.
https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...etRFI66a-1.jpg
https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...netRFI66-1.jpg
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10 inch Blade marked R.F.I-66
7-3/4 inch Blade unmarked in scabbard
10 inch Blade marked RFI66 in scabbard
https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...yonets_3-1.jpg
Thanks for that NZ. Interesting photo. Passing Out Parade at Dera Dun I suspect. A few of those sloppy blokes need to be told to get the right thumb, gripping the pistol grip, down in line with the seam of their trousers. And the scond one along in the front row, next to the right marker, needs to get his hat fixed or pulled down a bit so that the tip of the peak is 1" above his nose. In fact Sergeant Major, he looks like a xxxxing bus conductor...... have him parade again in 10 minutes properly dressed................................
Of the long bladed L1A1 bayonetss, did you notice that the grip screw holes are to the No5 configuration.
As for the 'new' RFI No5 bayonets being copies, I have this jaundiced view that if they're GOOD copies, the repro & real parts interchange and the steel is within the acceptable metallurgical envelope, then what the heck..............
And the scond one along in the front row, next to the right marker, needs to get his hat fixed or pulled down a bit so that the tip of the peak is 1" above his nose. In fact Sergeant Major, he looks like a xxxxing bus conductor...... have him parade again in 10 minutes properly dressed................................ In fact Peter, I think haircuts all round would be in order here!...........
I think the one you're referring to, the bloke at the end of the leading platoon is a woman! Obviously at the slow march as there's no arm swinging but nice to see anyway. We used to have bih high gaiters like that in Australia, but blackened (in the RAR) with a leather strap under the instep to keep them down. Do you still use such gaiters in Oz chaps?
The Indian Army are VERY smart and earlier this year we had a battalion (the Jat Regiment) training on Salisbury Plain. All of theor orders for fire control and drill are still given in English and the drill movements are pretty well identical
Quote:
Originally Posted by Peter Laidler;149889[B
If it 'Aint broke, Dont fix it'! Obviously our tried & tested system works for them! Nice to know a little somthing Positive was left for them, from 'The Empire'!..............
We've got an Indian Army Liaison Officer with us at Warminster. All of those we've had are real pukka chaps The current one is a paratrooper. The last but one invited me over to stay in the mess at Birrelli near New Delhi to see the Republic Day Parade but events overtook us here. Apparently, their Regimental Depots are still based on 1950's Aldershot. Their Officers still come here for some training and it's nice to see them. They can't believe that we have such a small, and getting smaller, Army!
In fact I think we should send a couple of gunboats out and take back all of those rebellious colonies like America, Canada, New Zealand, Australia and Rhodesia, the rest of Africa and Malaya. That's show em!
What this has got to do with 10" SLR bayonets I just don't know
In fact I think we should send a couple of gunboats out and take back all of those rebellious colonies like America, Canada, New Zealand, Australia and Rhodesia, the rest of Africa and Malaya. That's show em!
What this has got to do with 10" SLR bayonets I just don't know[/QUOTE]
ANSWER: Well.......They COULD be used for rope splicing on those Gunboats!
There you go Peter, That's got you out of that one!.......:lol: