Unusual Pakistani No. 9 Mk. I Bayonet

[browningautorifle]

I would very much like one

In the past, me too.

They are locally made

Like many others that are needed and have been through the past. We've seen many here from all countries, I just find them interesting is all...I don't need to forensically examine them though.

[porterkids]

I don't need to forensically examine them though.

I agree

[Peter Laidler]

I note that the Indians or Pakistanis did a similar long No9 variant, made from a damaged(?) No1 Mk2 type short fullered and unfullered blade. Not that I am suggesting it, but something like that would be simplicity itself to reproduce given the ample supply of No9's and Indian Mk2's

Further to F-10's thread 10, that said, the notion that we - or Armourers hops in the world generally - would seriously consider faffing about changing blades or making new crosspieces or anything beyond basic fix-it type repairs is really a no-no as alluded to by Tankie and Skippy in the past. If it was for our own benefit it might happen but as they were ten-a-penny-useful-currency anything beyond a quick fix was unlikely.

Anyone aware that there was also a S.A. locally produced UZI barrel that had a No4 muzzle/bayonet profile (less the foresight band blocks of course...). This would also take the short No9 type bayonet but NOT the standard bayonet made for the UZI because the muzzle dia was reduced slightly and the X-piece ring was too loose on the barrel.

Point taken BAR and Porterkids (thread 21 and 22). But a simple micrometer will soon tell whether original marks have been machined or linished off

[Flying10uk]

Did Hopkinson Ltd not make it part of their business, in latter years, to make up complete No9 bayonets from the blades salvaged from broken SLR bayonets and some newly made blades welded/fitted to No4 pig sticker sockets? It was suggested to me recently that these items were mainly sold to Third World countries.

[Peter Laidler]

Hopkinson were the archetypal example of a time expired Company that hasn't progressed while trying to keep flogging a dead horse. A bit like the later days of MG-Rover and their over priced out of date cars. If the Sterling company were struggling to sell new and refurbished Sterling SMG's to these third world nations awash with cheap and cheerful AK's then I have severe doubts as to the notion that you can sell 1950's No4/9 hybrid bayonets to the same nations. Just my view of course.

[Flying10uk]

Here is one of Hopkinson's newly made blades for the benefit of anyone who may be interested. When I purchased this from the vendor a couple of years ago he had several which he had bought from Hopkinson when they closed. When I saw the vendor recently at a fair they had all now gone

[tankhunter]

I saw these blade blanks for sale originally. there was a BARREL FULL of 'em up for grabs!

I think these are No.5 Blanks though, not socket bayonet blades originally.

The 'Vendor' was attempting to sell them on the 'Well known Auction site', Piecemeal.

[browningautorifle]

Point taken BAR and Porterkids (thread 21 and 22).

Not quite the way I meant it Peter, just meant that "I" didn't need much info. I just like to see the different blades. Looking at where they come from originally is a whole different thing and does interest me to know lineage...

[Peter Laidler]

That blade in thread 26 is a distinct L1 rifle type blade. It COULD be made into a No5 type but only with some hard work, grinding, filing and drilling. This is the reason why they were forced to make the 'fake' NO5 bayonets by using these blades with L1A1 type grip sides but No5 x-pieces and modified No5 pommel to suit.

[Flying10uk]

This thread does show and highlight how Forum members interest differ and also how they may look at things such as military equipment differently from one another. For me coming from an engineering background, not military, when I see a piece of equipment I am very interested in it's design and how it has been made. It is also interesting to see how well or how badly an item has been made. If I add an item to my collection that has been poorly made and it was originally made in that way, then I am perfectly happy to preserve it in the condition in which it was produced. It is not for me to take it upon myself to try to improve the appearance of an item on how it was originally made. There is nothing worse, in my opinion, to see a piece of military kit that has been "tarted up" by an over enthusiastic civilian owner who doesn't really know what he is doing.

I did recently see a similar blade blank to the one in Post 26 that the owner said was ex Hopkinson which was in a "Black" state as if it had just come out of the hardening or forging process. Is the length of the blade blank @ about 280mm long enough to be a replacement blade for the L1A1 bayonet?