British EM-2 RIFLE

[Peter Laidler]

Yep, that's what I mean BAR, the crosspieces were double tapered. One slight taper from the muzzle ring to the grips and another greater taper from the grip part to the small hole at the opposite end of the crosspiece.

Anyone show us a photo to remind us all......?

[browningautorifle]

Here's a general pic...but it portrays it.

Attachment 54573

[Peter Laidler]

I have asked Old Smiffy if he'll have a look at this strange No7 type bayonet with contoured crosspiece. Let's see what he says

[303tom]

I am not Old Smiffy but here is your answer.
No 7 (Swivel Pommel) Bayonet This design was approved in 1945 and was designed to answer the demand for a combination bayonet and fighting knife. The pommel isa bayonet socket and is mounted ona spindle on which it rotates. When the pommel is turned down it resembles a regular blade bayonet. when the pommel is turned up the socket can be fitted over the barrel with the blade hanging under the barrel similar to the Number 9 bayonet. The hilt also has a muzzle ring that allows it to be used with the STEN although this feature serves no purpose on the No 4 rifle. Grips can varry from brown to red-orange and are made from various plastic and composite materials.

[johnpeg]

I really like the combination of blued steel and wood in a firearm, specially something as exotic as a bullpup. This thing is a much prettier rifle than the SA80. 

[Peter Laidler]

Thanks for that Tom. We know the history of the bayonet in its .303" rifle form and it's many down-sides and acute disadvantages have been discussed a few times on the edged weapon part of the forum. What we are asking Old Smithy ( a true Bayonet expert in my opinion.....) is about the sculpted shape of the cropsspiece as shown in the photo by Brit Plumber. The usual ones we had at the Infantry weapons collection and those I've seen/noticed elsewhere had slightly tapered/squared off cross pieces - not sculpted.

Incidentally, the cross piece on the old standard No7 bayonet serves no purpose on the Sten either! To cut to the quick, the No7 bayonet was the worst bayonet to ever see service, by a LONG way. It MIGHT have fared a tad better on the EM rifles with a bit of support at the X-piece, forward of the pommell but I doubt it. Just my view of course!

[browningautorifle]

I am not Old Smiffy but here is your answer.

You missed it Tom, we were talking about the version that has a small muzzle ring not the large ring that the LE and Sten could use. With the small ring on those weapons, if they had any play, you could shoot the muzzle ring of the small diameter.

Carl doesn't have one on his site. Guess I should have bought them when they were around...

[303tom]

You missed it Tom, we were talking about the version that has a small muzzle ring not the large ring that the LE and Sten could use. With the small ring on those weapons, if they had any play, you could shoot the muzzle ring of the small diameter.

Carl doesn't have one on his site. Guess I should have bought them when they were around...

British .303 Rifle Bayonets

They had the same size barrel...........

[browningautorifle]

That's right Tom, and we're still talking about the small ring version, not that big ring version.

[303tom]

That's right Tom, and we're still talking about the small ring version, not that big ring version.

They never had no Big Ring Version !............