Nor my experience either Not much interest in maintenance there. The AK rifle was perfect for that region as even with 5lbs of sand in the action it would still cycle

---------- Post added at 02:21 PM ---------- Previous post was at 02:19 PM ----------

I posted this in the Edged Weapons Forum as well. Just wanted to post here so as to update the thread.
Here is what I have discovered thus far. A couple of sources I found are oldmilitarymarkings.com and thearmouryonline.co.uk. It’s a Britishicon manufactured bayonet. On the left ricasso from top to bottom is the Crown with the letters G R barely visible beneath. This is the Reign Mark of Georgius Rex(King George V) 1911-1936. Next is quite obvious however, but in the center is 1907 which is the model number. Next is 9 to the left and *24 to the right. This is the date of acceptance into service (Sept 1924). Finally at the bottom is EFD signifying the maker as Royal Small Arms Factory, Enfield.
On the right ricasso top to bottom is the “Broad Arrow” which is the government acceptance mark. Next below that (and also to the left) is the Crown with T6 E under it. This is the inspection or view mark of the inspector at various stages during production. What a wonderful find it would be discovering the record to whom T6 E was assigned. Next center is the X or bend mark. Finally on the lower right is EFD with 24 under it and what appears to be an inverted broad arrow above. This mark I have been unable to discover the meaning.
Finally we come to the Arabic numerals on the pommel. These numerals translate to 504 or 405. Some say that Arabic numerals are read right to left, but I am not familiar with this. It may become highly important later in my search as this is the location where the Regimental Markings would be were a bayonet of British manufacture issued to a regiment of the British Army. This is somewhat perplexing as I can observe no other acceptance marks on the blade save the one for Government Service. Some have stated that the 504 may simply be a rack number, however I am investigating if there may have been Arabic Regiments comprised of local nationals in the 1920s British Army.
This blade has made quite a journey thus far from London Borough of Enfield to the Middle East and now to the US.
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