Stamp marks on my new P'07

[Buntline]

Some of you may know already that I've just acquired an immaculate example of a P'07. I'm puzzled by a stamp mark on the back of the tang. Where I'd be expecting an 'L' or 'N' for land or naval service there's an 'x'.
Also, as the grips have suffered from oil soaking, I've bought a set of unissued replacement grips. These have a curious 'arrow' stamp mark, in as much as there are two small circles either side of the arrows stem.
I appreciate any light you can shed.

Information

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[Peter Laidler]

That mark is supposedly a percentage mark indicating that they have been percentage checked by, well........., someone! Quite who that someone might be is a matter of........, well..., who? As a run of work check where a percentage of the parts are checked? But I don't particularly hold to that view as the mark didn't feature in a CR list of marks of interest to Armourers and the like. And if this was a percentage check, then a percentage check for what? Quality, workmanship? If so, then surely the factory inspector would be doing the inspecting AND stamping with his approved mark. After all, that's the whole IDEA of an inspectors mark!!!!! If it were an Ordnance Depot mark then it certainly WOULD be in the CR intelligence book

It's also worth bearing in mind that pretty well every Enfield/Albion revolver component part carried this mark....., including EVERY brass grip marking disc - and I've seen a few!

[gew8805]

I bow to Peter's translation of the meaning of the "x" mark. I will offer one small piece of advice, however - worth exactly what you pay for it, of course - leave the original grips in place and save the replacement grips for a bayonet that has none. Even though "oil soaked", the originals are exactly that and replacement will devalue the bayonet.

[Peter Laidler]

The X mark on the blade ahead of the crosspiece is the bend-test mark. This wouldn't ever (?) be on the side of the grip as in Buntlines as it would be meaningless when the IfO's/EMER says that it is on the face of the blade ahead of the crosspiece.

There was still a 'bender-box' at the old Armourrers shop at 43 Command Wksp at Aldershot Only the old boys knew what it was! I'd never seen one until Brian Sylvester showed me.......

[Buntline]

Thanks for that information everyone. So a mystery mark. There is the usual bend test X on the ricasso but this is larger. It begs the question, should there be an 'L' or 'N' stamped somewhere? I've just looked again to be sure & there is neither. Including an excessive number of pictures in case there are any other odd stamps & also as I'm pleased as b*ggery with my blade.
As for the grips the new ones will go on to see what they're like & stay on if they look right, the 'originals' being kept just for the unlikely event of it being sold. I was hoping the 'arrow' style would date the new grips so any help there would be appreciated.

[Peter Laidler]

You could probablytake most of the oil out of those grips quite easily

[browningautorifle]

I don't even know if I'd consider those grips to be original. They don't fit quite right. The scabbard is about new, no wear and tear at all. The blade looks to have a re-finish...I wouldn't worry about replacing them if that's what you have in mind, but Peter's right about being able to get most of the oil out of those. All the marks look right on there as well.

[gew8805]

I don't even know if I'd consider those grips to be original. They don't fit quite right. The scabbard is about new, no wear and tear at all. The blade looks to have a re-finish...I wouldn't worry about replacing them if that's what you have in mind, but Peter's right about being able to get most of the oil out of those. All the marks look right on there as well.

Well, since we haven't seen a photo showing the grips in place or even a good picture showing how "oil soaked" they are, it's difficult to know if they are correct. The bayonet has definitely been refinished, so....

[browningautorifle]

Well, since we haven't seen a photo showing the grips in place or even a good picture showing how "oil soaked" they are, it's difficult to know if they are correct.

The pics are there Bud...

[CINDERS]

I concur on the re finish of the blade my '16 look very different than this one and it looks like a WWII large stud on the locket instead of a WWI - early period small one have dug out some examples to show the differing studs;
From left '21 Lithgow Dble stitch scabb Small stud, J.A.C 4 '16 large stud (1944 scabbard), Vickers 8 '18 with tear drop stud.

With the wars and attrition and refitting it is getting harder to find un messed with gear, my J.A.C grips are very oil soaked but I do not care and I do not intend replacing any.
Me I would leave it as it is who cares but I am suspicious of the refinishing looks to good to be true for a near on 100 yr old bayonet.