Australian Bush Bayonets

[Brian WM]

Sorry the colour is rubbish but the lighting was not ideal. I think they show the marks mentioned in the earlier post.
Attachment 85823Attachment 85822Attachment 85824Attachment 85825Attachment 85826Attachment 85827

[browningautorifle]

Looks about right, from the pics. There are others here that will know for sure though.

[22SqnRAE]

On the basis of the serial number looking around about right and the crow's foot (up arrow) I'd be comfortable saying it's ridgey didge.

[CINDERS]

The last set of pics pretty well match what Skennerton spoke of in his description so it seems to be the real deal congrats they are a rare item and sought after by collectors bit like Hookies.

[Flying10uk]

Would you need to remove this bayonet from the rifle before firing because, from the pictures, the blade edge looks to overhang the path that a bullet would take it the bayonet was attached to a rifle?

[Woodsy]

I have since sold the one I owned for many years. It was absolutely genuine (no scabbard) and had a serial number in the 1,000 range stamped on the pommel and Slazenger mark on the grips. From memory I think there was also a manufacturers stamp on the ricasso (OA?).

[bigduke6]

The last pics show the wear and tear on the Scabbard, which I would say is the real deal for sure, very hard to fake wear and tear specially on webbing and canvas, not saying it can't be done,..... today seen a Webley .455 webbing holster which looked the real deal until I seen the same in a brand new packet, it does make you think.....

But I would say it is the real deal on the scabbard but the bayonet...... if it is the real McCoy then I guess £1000- £1500....

[Woodsy]

Would you need to remove this bayonet from the rifle before firing because, from the pictures, the blade edge looks to overhang the path that a bullet would take it the bayonet was attached to a rifle?

No. The SMLE bayonet boss is well below the bore line and there is clearance over the swell in the blade.

[CINDERS]

Run a straight edge along that pic F10 using the pic boarder as a datum for level, the swelled portion lines up with about the bottom 1/8th of the bayonet boss hole so you could shoot the rifle, having fired the MkIII's with the sword bayonet attached I can assure you it alters the balance/geometry of the rifle quite significantly with that thing attached it would be like having a house brick tied to the muzzle.

Woodsy that's pretty unusual to have the OA but ties in as to where they were produced perhaps some enterprising examiner decided to stamp it anything is possible in the WWII production.

[Flying10uk]

No. The SMLE bayonet boss is well below the bore line and there is clearance over the swell in the blade.

I was forgetting that it located on a separate boss and had visions of a bullet hitting the blade.