Enfield number 5 Mk 1 Bayonet help

[HOOKED ON HISTORY]

Hooked on History. I am not hording bayonets. They are all different. It's not totally my fault I ended up with three No5 bayonets. I put the word out I was looking for a nice No5 to go on the end of my Stirling SMG and three came up at once!

The hoarding part was tounge in cheek and your posts specificlly have proved very helpful in my bayonet research.

[HOOKED ON HISTORY]

Time marches on.....

Here is a bit of evidence to support that statement.

[old-smithy]

My collection consists almost entirely of distinctly different bayonets (to me any way ;-) ) Different makers, and different user countries maybe but usually different marks and models. I have both variations of the UK no5 and a couple of Indian ones the list of ones I want is so long I cannot afford multiples for multiples sake. But then some people collect the different years or unit marks and can build huge collections of one type that way. I have about 60 07's but most are "different" .

When the last lot of "new" 1905 US rifles got released prices rocketed for mint conditioearlyry 05's and that was not driven by bayonet collectors. Evertimeem there is a release of new rifles onto the US market prices soar for tbladeses to fit them and then drop back once that itch got scratched and prices return to the earlier levels- or almostUnfortunatelyly that means good examples leave the bayoneworldrl and collections and become eye candy on a rifle collection, usually (but not always) on one of an owner with no interest in the blade as anything other than aaccoutrementnt

[Aragorn243]

There has been no influx of No 5 Jungle carbines on the market in the US. They are few and far between on the market so again, hard to say it is the rifle guys driving up the price.

I must say I just can't agree at all with your last statement. I don't care if you're a bayonet collector or a rifle collector, the proper place for a bayonet is with it's corresponding rifle. That is how they were issued and it is the reason they were created in the first place.

You say you have 60 07 bayonets because you collect variations of the same. A rifle collector is only going to have one for each rifle and more than likely isn't concerned with the variation other than it being correct for the timeframe of the rifle so again, doubtful it's rifle guys driving up prices.

Those that seek each variation of something are driving up the prices and that's the bayonet guys.

I collect both when I can and have no problems with anyone collecting anything in whatever manner they desire. It's just the way the world goes round and we all have to deal with it.

There is a third group that I don't think anyone mentioned and it is growing very fast and may be the key reason many rifles and bayonets are going up and that is the re-enactors. They are growing in numbers that is hard to believe in my area. On the good side, the majority seem to be young people who are interested in learning and preserving history.

[peregrinvs]

For me it proves that (a) a collectable is worth what someone is prepared to pay for it; and (b) there's no arguing with the laws of supply and demand. I certainly don't think that it's anyone's 'fault' that prices are going up - it's just the way the world works.

Still, I'm very glad I bought my unremarkable example of a No.5 bayonet 12 years ago when they could still be had for south of £50 in the UK. It's one of various things I am glad I bought 'back in the day' as they are now worth a lot more than what I paid for them. The trade off is that there are an increasing number of things I would like for my collection, but cannot afford. C'est la vie...

[gew8805]

The last import of No. 5 Rifles was about 5 or 10 years ago. They came in from, I think, Malaysia, and the bayonets took a jump in price at that time.

[LesterH]

Hooked on History. No problem at all. I have lots of bayonets and you are welcome to ask me questions. Wish I could have some of these rifles in the old advert at those prices. Add a nought at least for todays prices.
About four years ago a lot of D/A Crackle finish Stirling SMGs came onto the market ( from the middle East?) I expected a lot of No5 bayonets to appear. The No5 bayonet is still in short supply. Thus I think a) There were none to release or b) The dealers are hanging on to them and drip feeding them into the market place as the prices rise. Just my theory.
Kind regards, Lester

[HOOKED ON HISTORY]

LESTERH
I am perserverent if nothing else. I will eventually find one,well acutally need two now as I aquired another No5. I wish they were as prevelent as tha Arisaka bayonets but alas the search is half the fun. Are the Sterling ones the shiny (unblued) ones?

[LesterH]

Yes. My Sterling No5 bayonet is a late one circa 1984. All metal rivetted handle, L1A2 shaped blade. [H] stamping for Hopkinsons. Sterling is NOT stamped on the silver blade. Which confirms it is British Forces issue. ( looks more like a SLR L1A4 bayonet).

For your No5 rifle if it's 1944 to 48, you need a Wilkinson Sword, Viners Cutlery N97 Stamp, Elkington ( Not many made) or a Poole Ordenence Factory (P) date stamp. I prefer Poole made bayonets. The stamping on Poole bayonets (P)1946, are often feint and covered by blueing. KEEP AWAY FROM P.O.F. These are Packistan Ordenence Factory and are very often fake. Look for the oil hole in the pommel. The fakes don't have this hole(yet).

You will also desire a pointed tip scabbard with a brass throat piece. But any No5,No7,No8,No9 or SLR scabbard will fit.

Buy a genuine British No5 bayonet. Yes you will pay a hell of a lot of money, but in the time you own it the price will go up and you will get good money back in the future.

Fakes are only worth it if you are paying £10. The common price is about $65 and they are not worth that! As suggested in previous posts. These POF No5s are made for the tourist market.
RFI Indian made bayonets should be good and are often found to have blades approx 2" longer than the equiverlent British version.

Don't try and modify an SLR bayonet. It will not work and SLR bayonets are also going up in price.

Kind regards, Lester

[HOOKED ON HISTORY]

Lots of RFIs on E-bay ($60 to $95 US) along with the occasional original. SLR last week listed as a "Jungle Carbine" Bayonet. Sold for $215.18 US. Did not pay but $300 US for each of my No5s.