Is this an Australian 1907 Bayonet?

I wanted to get an Australian WW1 era bayonet to go with my WW1 era Australian SMLE. This was sold to me as just that. I'm wondering as I believe it is a Wilkinson sword, is this actually Australian issue? If it's not made in Australia is it fact Australian? Or would I be better off looking for an Australian made one to call it actually Australian (if it's not Australian made)? Any help identifying is appreciated as to be honest, being my first 1907 (or bayonet for that matter) I just got confused trying to match markings.

Bayonets came from all over to be issued and once they came back with the troops they were Australian. That one as you say is "Wilkinson Sword". You'd want one like this pictured... https://worldbayonets.com/Bayonet_Id...stralia_2.html

Here, read this too... Lithgow 1907 Bayonet - Antique Outings

https://www.lawranceordnance.com/def...thgow-markings

Hi there ceetee. It appears as you say, made by WILKINSON, which means it's English, not Australian production. Are there any markings on the pommel? That might help others give you a more definitive answer about who it may have been issued to. I believe the grip scales are Australian and have been replaced at some point in it's life. Some Australian bayonet grips were marked, Australia, just like yours. I'm no expert on the WW1 bayonets but I do know a lot of English made bayonets were issued to Australian troops in WW1. The scabbard you have is WW2 Australian issue. From the photos you've provided, the leather appears to be marked MANGROVITE 42. The 42 designates the year made and MANGROVITE was the supplier of the leather component of the scabbards in Australia during WW2. I'd be guessing the metal fittings on the scabbard are marked OA for Orange Arsenal which was a feeder factory to Lithgow and where production of the No1 MK3* rifle moved to towards the end of WW2. Scabbards were repaired as well, so you will find metal fitting marked MA or with the Lithgow Star fitted with MANGROVITE marked LEATHER. There will be others on here with a lot more knowledge of which English bayonets were issues to Australian troops in WW1. Lithgow produced WW1 era bayonets still come up for sale quite often but bring quite a hefty price in Australia. I have no idea of the prices or availability in your part of the world. You at least have the correct type of bayonet for your rifle. Considering it has an Australian scabbard and grip scales, it most likely was in Australian service at some point. It would be nice to be able to confirm that for you though. Considering bayonets from WW1 carried on and were used in WW2, it would be totally normal for grips and scabbards to be replaced. We'll see what others have to say.

Thank you both for your information. I have enough of what I need to know about this thanks to you both. I will try and find an Australian made one now. I'm actually an expat Aussie, I decided to put my own little WW1 ANZAC type homage together for myself, so I would like it to be true blue. Now to find one (again)! Thanks!

WILKINSON made 3 18 and underneath faintly is PALL MALL then refurbed 1921
WW1 bayonets especially Lithgows are going up in value $450+ OA (Orange Arsenal) WWII 07's are around the $320-350+ other bayonets that are going up are the Vickers, Mole, J.A.C, Chapman and the Sanderson Nuebold ones.

Photos of both sides of the pommel (handle ends) would be good. You may have an Australian contact bayonet but need the photos to be sure. There may be specific markings. CINDERS probably nailed that it is not an Australian WW1 used/contracted bayonet as it is a British refurbishing marking in 1921 ('21). How the bayonet ended up in Australian stores is unknown but definitely at some stage used by an Australian soldier.
Your bayonet was in a lot of around four thousand surplus bayonets sold by the Australian government to the USA under contract in the 1980s. It is the USA that required the country of origin to be shown on goods and that's why you see AUSTRALIA stamped into the grips and for no other reason. Sometimes I have seen ENGLAND stamped into the pommel of No7 bayonets and for the same reason.

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Originally Posted by smith3006

It is the USA that required the country of origin to be shown on goods and that's why you see AUSTRALIA stamped into the grips and for no other reason.

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I have seen "Australia" stamped on 1907 grips here in the UK which doesn't require the country of origin to be shown.

I guess the bayonet found its way to the UK from the USA, eBay has a funny habit of doing that. There are now hundreds and hundreds here in Australia as well because we have been bringing them home ever since. A few of us collectors were involved in the export but not me as I was on the wrong side of the country unfortunately.

Hey thanks for the extra information. I think I have enough info for what I need on the above one, namely it's not made in Australia, but if you would like me to post some extra photos for your own curiosity I'm happy to. I can see that the value of these has gone up, I just bid on one and lost out at AU$650! I'm just after one for myself, I have posted a WTB in the in the forum, so if anyone would like to sell me one, it would go to a good home. Thanks again.

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Originally Posted by ceetee

I just bid on one and lost out at AU$650!

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That seems like a ridiculous price unless, of course, it was covered in gold leaf.

I only bid that high thinking that it wouldn't go for that price, leaving me the highest bidder. kind of glad I got outbid. I have done nuclear bids before, sure glad I didn't make an insane nuclear bid with this one.
an original Lithgow 1916 dated Australian Army SMLE 303 Bayonet Scabbard | eBay

The reason that particular 07 went for what you think is a bit high price is in the fine print have a look at the cross piece and the throat of the scabbard there you will see 3MD 33011 so this is the 3rd Military District in Australia ~ The 3rd Military District covered all of Victoria and that part of New South Wales south of the Murrumbidgee River.
Plus it is an early Lithgow from WWI (Lithgow only got going in 1912).
It has the early tear drop with the 7 pointed "A" stamping at the toe and will probably have Lithgow 1916 stamped on the leather but this may have become hard to see, the serial 50941 is the rifles serial number as in the case like my 1921 MKIII '07 Lithgow bayonet carries the same serial number as my 1921 Lithgow MKIII rifle.

So it pays to have a good look at what is on offer knowing about the MD system in Aus, this will perhaps help you understand why some '07 Lithgow's sell for what they do besides try and buy a hooked quillon Lithgow if you can get a smicko one for under $2.5 - 3K then snap it up.
Plus its e-bay where using a nuclear bid can land you in hot water (Ask me how I know) obviously the buyer may have a 1916 3MD Lithgow MkIII, like me I have a 1916 Lithgow MkIII 5MD (Western Australia) and have a 1916 5MD '07 & 5MD scabbard for the rifle each brought separately a few years apart.

Than you cinders, you had previously said of the prices and I wasn't complaining of the price, just surprised. I obviously i would have paid what I bid, although I didn't expect to be outbid. But I'm no way an expert with these bayonets. Luckily, the few times I have used a nuclear bid, it worked out for me, but yes I'm aware of the dangers and have seen the results of a nuclear collision. Luckily, I didn't go too big and in fact it really turned out to be non nuclear as you explained that's what it's worth. Also it would have been a close match for my 1915 3MD Lithgow MkIII* SMLE too which is why it was attractive to me. Also, spent most of my life in Victoria. I mainly included the link for Flying10uk to show the item of the price I had mentioned. Thank you! (I thought I'd edit this and add a few pics of my SMLE, just because!)

Not many '15 MkIII's Lithgows around so I'd keep that forever, my friend regularly cleans up with his though I have beaten him on occasions.

Thank you. I do intend to keep it. I feel privileged to own it. Thanks again!