Sterling bayonet

[Peter Laidler]

Looking at the electric arc pencilled 'STERLING' I'd say with almost complete certainty that this is a fake/repro of sorts. I say this because unless anyone can come up with a better answer, that was not done on the electric arc pencil pantograph machine (where it follows a pattern from the engraving plate) but done by hand - by a blind man in the dark. That would never have got past the Sterling inspectors.

Additionally, isn't the Sterling mark usually set in the fuller on the real McCoy.

I'd say that this identifies the bayonets as '.......of Eastern appearance.......'. There is no sign of any phosphate protective coating either. Sterling were an ISO9002(?) contractor and as a result, their phosphating process and tanks were subject to a daily strength check for want of a better word. None of the old wishy washy stuff there............

Just my twopence worth after having seen a few of Sterlings offerings in my time...........

[old-smithy]

Mine says BSA C, has the same Sterling mark as Bills, and the center fuller is ground fully through in one area.

[Peter Laidler]

I'm not a bayonet expert - or anything expert now that I come to think of it - but knowing the Sterling quality and rigerous inspection and quality standards, something just doesn't ring true to me........... especially as your centre fuller is ground through old smithy. There might well be an explanation but while Hopkinson or some .....eastern Nations.....' might have used plastic and ground the bayonets through, Sterling wouldn't allow that quality of work to even pass over their factory threshold.

I did ask another old time Armourers about the STERLING etched logo and showed him the picture. He just shook his head...... for two reasons when I probed! First, he'd never seen that mark as all he ever sees is UK Military bayonets and secondly, he commented that such quality wasn't what he'd usually associate with Sterling after 40 years dealing with their kit.

I don't dare mention that I'd seen a 'Sterling'? blade ground through the fullers! There will be an answer somewhere, but I don't think that it lays at Sterling of Dagenham!

[porterkids]

I purchased one, if not both, of these bayonets from a fellow in England named Neil. I cannot remember his surname but he used to sell quite a few things on ebay.

My thought is that someone got their hands on surplus, rejected or pilfered component parts and assembled some bayonets. I do not think there are many of these around, as I keep a pretty close eye on the on-line auctions and haven't seen any in quite some time. I have no explaination on the origin of the plastic grips.

[Peter Laidler]

Just another thought anyone with those rivetted plastic grips............... But how the xxxx do you rivet those xxxxxxg great rivets without cracking the plastic? Are they one piece rivets or two-piece where you rivet the shank of the rivet into a countersunk cup. I can't see either the rivetting marks or signs of a countersunk cup.

Any other takers as to where the genuine STERLING logo is placed on the bayonets. Fuller or cutting edge?

[porterkids]

I have a genuine Sterling in my collection. I'll have to check it when I get home tonight.

Your comment regarding the poor quality of the "STERLING" etch on the plastic gripped piece fits in with my theory about rejected components being used to build these bayonets.

[old-smithy]

I was told mine was prbably made from rejected pieces, hence th eground through fuller, but as these are aminly commercially made I am sure the vast majority were, so not neccessarily fakes just cr4p

[porterkids]

The STERLING etching on my genuine blade is in the same location as the one pictured about. Skennerton shows these plastic gripped bayonets in his book and identifies them as being unmarked commercial pieces.

[tankhunter]

The STERLING etching on my genuine blade is in the same location as the one pictured about. Skennerton shows these plastic gripped bayonets in his book and identifies them as being unmarked commercial pieces.

Yes, but it STILL leaves a question, Commercial possibly. But from WHOM & WHERE?.....

---------- Post added at 03:45 AM ---------- Previous post was at 03:37 AM ----------

I concurr with Peters comments with regards to the quality of the 'Etching'! It is Crap! You can even see where the electic pencil tip has slipped & skipped in a couple of places. Away from the original intended shape of the box for the word STERLING. I have also visited the Now Late Sterling Works, & seen the inspection processes in execution. Hardly anything slipped through the net of sub standard quality due to the rigerous. And frequent amount of production checks with purpose made gauges. I have seen a few 'Commercial' Sterling No.5's, & the etching was always cleanly done & clear! Also, each COMERCIAL Blade had the METAL riveted grips fitted. Always associated normaly, with the L1A1 Rifle Series.

[Peter Laidler]

Thanks to Vince for getting this thread up and running many months ago. It's certainly been interesting even for a totally non-bayonet fiend like me!

Opened up several new leads and avenues too. Good one Vince................ Good replies from the others too. I have given all this out to Graham Priest too