British No 9 bayonet

[Slater]

On many of the No 9 bayonets I noticed that the blade is left "in the white" while the remainder is blackened. What was the reason behind this?

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[Peter Laidler]

The No9 bayonet was made post war when the idea was that blades should all be polished silver once again. The trouble is that they don't stay polished silver for long so in the late 50's instructions were issued that whenever they were rotated through the larger workshops, the bayonets would be phosphated. The handles would be painted black and the blades left the dull phosphate grey. By this time the No7's and 9's were close to being obsolescent so didn't benefit from being dulled/phosphated so remained shiny silver. Some were sent through the system of course and have grey blades. Likewise, some were simply bead blasted and have dull silver blades

The exceptions were the recruit training centres where regardless of the current doctrine, orders or EMER instructions, EVERYTHING was deemed suitable for polishing. Later, they formalised the polishing regime and issued scouring pads that soon made short work of painted surfaces and phosphate finishes.............

Anyway, that's my 2c's worth. They may be other variations on a theme

[tankhunter]

SOME were also Plated through unit's at thier own expense (IE: A bottle of SOMETHING given in Exchange at Workshops for the Plating Work. I have done this Myself!) for Cerimonial Purposes, IE: Escort to a Particular Units Colour party.

I also have in my personal collection. Chromed/ silver slip on mini-sheath Tip protectors for bladed bayonets. To protect the colour (Flag) from being damaged against the escort to the Colour's bayonet points.
Also have totaly chromed L1A3 SLR Bayonets for the same purpose.

I have observed also, chromed examples of spike bayonets. Having a steel ball bearing welded/brazed to the tip. To provide the same protection to a colour/flag, & prevent tearing.
TOTALY ruins a spike bayonet for it's original intended purpose of course! But, an interesting variation of a Bayonet.