GUNSHOW FINDS: No 7 Mk 1/1 , K98,P30 entrenching tool

[HOOKED ON HISTORY]

To recoup some of the cost to the taxpayer!

You mean like recouping some of the cost to the taxpayer by cutting up and selling for scrap ,sound arms that could find their way into the hands of citizens? Some governmental procedures make more sence than others. Thanks for the detailed explination I knew there must be one.

Information

Warning: This is a relatively older thread This discussion is older than 360 days. Some information contained in it may no longer be current.

[tankhunter]

You mean like recouping some of the cost to the taxpayer by cutting up and selling for scrap ,sound arms that could find their way into the hands of citizens? Some governmental procedures make more sence than others. Thanks for the detailed explination I knew there must be one.

Hi Hooked, I share your sorrow for what appears to us as collectors. To be a sensless waste of equipment, But you MUST bear in mind. Tha Government Departments do NOT function on Common sense!
Rules & regulations are what count in the Military. There ARE regs set out in E.M.E.R.s for Armourers & other Trades as to inspection standards & resulting actions from them.

As an relevant example on bayonets. On Bowie Bladed bayonets like the SLR L1A3/A4 Or the No.7, Or No.9. 'The Blade length must NOT be reduced by less then 7.5" Inches'. Is ONE of many inspection standards applied to bladed Bayonets

That is to say: That as a result os sharpening over the years, Damage to tips & repointing Etc. If the blade length was then reduced to LESS than 7.5" Inches. It was to be condemend, & reduced to scrap.
All of the condemend bayonets should have been stripped down for servicable componants & put in the spares boxes by the unit Armourer.
Then, the blades were Gas axed (Oxy-Acettelyne) torch cut in half. Or put in a bench vice & snapped in half. Then the two halves were slung in the small arms scrap box for sercure disposal.

I have wondered if a blade length of 7.25" would be any less damaging with causing an incapacitaing wound. Or would kill you any less dead-er then one of 7.5" inches?.....However! Rules is Rules, & you HAVE to have a starting point to work from, agreed?

I know that quite few were 'saved' by Armourers like myself, Peter & Skippy to name a just a few of us. That were cleaning up & fitted to a purpose made wall plaque, with regimental capbadge. & a brass nameplate for presentation to a senior member of the unit in the Mess. That would be part of thier leaving presentation Gift from Senior ranks. So at least 'SOME' were saved & went on to a 'life extention program', of sorts!..........