What makes an L1A4 an A4?

[nzl1a1collector]

Ok, here we go again............

First some background, what is now known as the L1 series of bayonets is based on the Canadian C1 designed bayonet AND Flash Eliminator, they are a 'set'. The British design lost out the Canadian version, although I haven't seen one I believe the British option of bayonet was a modified No. 5 with a smaller cross-piece like the No. 8 bayonet. They may have even used No. 8 bayonets for trials, they did of course have 2000 of them in storage somewhere.

Over time there have been many discussions about what the differences are between the various models of L1 bayonets. Some say its ‘rivets’, ‘brazing’, ‘waisted’, ‘straight’ and, ‘fullers’. The difference between the original two models of bayonets, L1A1 and L1A2 were:

L1A1 Bayonet (1957 – 1958)
Manufactured by Enfield and BSA
Single cut blade edge
Protruding bayonet catch
Grips marked 960-0011


L1A2 Bayonet
Manufactured by no one in the UK, but made by Lithgow in Australia.
Double cut blade, the first cut at 40° the second cut to create the cutting edge at an angle of 55° to 65°
Protruding bayonet catch

All the examples I have examined of the above type bayonets have 2 rivets securing the pommels, that’s how they were made.


According to official documentation the L1A1 bayonet was to be modified because “the protruding catch was liable to be operated accidentally causing disengagement of the bayonet”. I think if that was the case, why this wasn’t discovered sooner with the likes of the SMLE, No. 5, Sterling etc as their bayonet catches protrude the same amount?, but I digress.

The new models of bayonet the L1A3 and L1A4 were introduced, the only difference between them and the L1A1 / L1A2 bayonets were the introduction of the milled out pocket and shorter bayonet catches, to correct the perceived problem stated above.

L1A3 Bayonet (1959 – 1965)
Manufactured by Enfield, Fazakerley and BSA
Modified version of the L1A1 type bayonet
Milled pocket with short bayonet catch
Single cut blade edge
Grips marked 960-0257


L1A3 Bayonet, Modified from the L1A1 model
Once the new design L1A3 bayonet came into service the original L1A1 bayonets were modified to the new standard of L1A3 with the pocket milled into the pommel and the new bayonet catch fitted. The original grips that were marked 960 0011 were modified by barring out the number and in most cases one of the grips was replaced with a now L1A3 marked grip which had the stores number 960-0257. Most of these bayonets encountered should have the 0257 L1A3 stamped into the end of the pommel. There is conjecture as to the point of stamping the markings onto the end of the pommel.


L1A3 Bayonet, Short Fuller (1966 – 1970)
Manufactured by Enfield
Modified version of the L1A1 type bayonet
Milled pocket with short bayonet catch
Single cut blade edge
Grips marked 960-0257
Short Fuller, reported to be done due to issues with a weakness of the tang and the full length fuller.

After a lot of consideration, I wonder if in fact these bayonets were actually made this way because it reduced machining operations making it more economical to produce?


L1A4 Bayonet 1973 – 1986)
Manufactured by Hopkinson and AM (unknown who this maker is)
Modified version of the L1A2 type bayonet
Double cut blade, the first cut at 40° the second cut to create the cutting edge at an angle of 55° to 65°
Milled pocket with short bayonet catch
Grips marked 960-0259 or 960-2359

The first dated examples seen of these L1A4 Bayonet is 1973, the bayonets have a waisted cross-piece, latter ones had the straight cross-piece. All examples examined were made by Hopkinson except for the very rare last production AM86 bayonets.


Things to consider when looking at a L1 series bayonet.

DO NOT just go by just the markings on the grips. Grips were replaced in service and there are even ‘L1A3’ Australian L1A2 Bayonets if you go by the grip markings. In fact there are some L1A1 bayonets too.

960-0011 Stores number for the Complete L1A1 Bayonet Assembly
960-0257 Stores number for the Complete L1A3 Bayonet Assembly
960-0259 Stores number for the Complete L1A4 Bayonet Assembly
960-2359 Stores number for the Bayonet Grips (the only grips marked with this part number have been produced by Hopkinson)

DO NOT just go by the waisted or straight cross-piece. There is a crossover of the use of these components, they were both used on L1A3 and L1A4 bayonets, they are alternative component for manufacturing depending on who was making the bayonets.

DO Check the markings on the blade, this will tell you who made the original bayonet and when.

D = Enfield
B = BSA
F = Fazakerley
H-in-diamond Hopkinson
AM = Unknown

Cast Parts
Investment cast parts started as early as 1962, maybe even earlier, but the earliest I’ve seen is 1962, these can be Pommels, Waisted Cross-pieces and Straight Cross-pieces. L1A3 and L1A4 bayonets can be found with a mixture of machined and cast components.

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.

[Time Bandit]

DO Check the markings on the blade, this will tell you who made the original bayonet and when.

D = Enfield
B = BSA
F = Fazakerley
H-in-diamond Hopkinson
AM = Unknown

I never realised Fazakerley made them also. That kinda answers a mystery of one of my L1A3's then. I have an A3 with an F60 marked blade, first thought was Fazakerley but I'd not heard of them making them so I just presumed it was a 1960 Enfield with a bad stamp but maybe it's not then. The grips are Enfield (which I know means nothing) and it has an Enfield stamp and broad arrow on the pommel all of which made me look on it as an Enfield with a dodgy blade stamp. Time to update my info then I think?

What's the S.M that appears on A4 grips? Sometimes with and sometimes without the Hopkinson H in the diamond?