Repro Australian machete bayonet

[smle addict]

Picked this up last week at an AZ gunshop. Its a repro 1944 machete bayonet for the SMLE rifle. Looks to be a high quality AIA made copy. Back in the early 2000's, I remember IMA had these for sale for around $185. They were pretty roughly made, and I believe, were produced in India. The scabbards all looked to be original surplus items. I passed, only because the quality just wasnt there.

As I was poking around the gunshop, I saw this one amongst a batch of foreign bayonets. I didnt know AIA made these in the 2000's as well, and I certainly didnt know they came dated, stamped and serial numbered. And it is far more dimensionally correct than the previous reproductions. The price was $125, and I took the plunge. I figured it might be my only chance to own a facsimile, as the originals are rare and priced well out of my budget. It has the repro scabbard, but for the money, it didnt seem like too big of a risk.

I cant seem to find any info on AIA (other than scarcity of their rifles). Any body have any more insight on these?

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