Pattern 1888 Volunteer

[Giove]

I have this bayonet. It's a Pattern 1888 Volunteer Small ring:

1907 pattern Bayonets

The upper edge is blunt, the lower one is sharp. The bayonet has no maker mark, but has a number of marks, included the cypher with the VR.
The bayonet guard is made of brass (browned).

Do you have any further information on this bayonet?

On which rifle was used?

Thanks. Giancarlo

Information

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[Aragorn243]

Good question. It isn't in Kiesling's book that I can find. There is a volunteer? bayonet listed but it isn't of this type and the muzzle ring is actually larger. Only thing I can suggest is possibly the cadet rifles but they don't typically have bayonet lugs.

[Flying10uk]

My understanding of what Ian Skennerton is saying on page 173 of his book, British and Commonwealth Bayonets, is that this bayonet could/may have been made up by the trade, for sale to Ireland, to go on Martini-Enfield carbines. The book goes on to state that the smaller muzzle ring diameter is about 16mm.

[Giove]

Can be. The inner diameter of the muzzle ring is 14 mm.

But the "double R" mark (dowgraded, drill purpose) makes me think it was used on a cadet rifle. I'm wrong?

Even the MLM Mark II has a smaller diameter barrel, but I don't know the size.

[Aragorn243]

The thing with the cadet rifles is that they weren't designed for bayonets. They don't have lugs. Bayonets are very rare and if I'm not mistaken, they use the socket type that goes over the sight which eliminates the need for a lug. You may have a one of a kind bayonet for a rifle that was owned by the individual.

[Flying10uk]

Are there any other examples of bayonets with brass cross pieces? I can't say that I can think of any off the top of my head but surely there must be some?

[browningautorifle]

Are there any other examples of bayonets with brass cross pieces?

I thought maybe I was out of whack here...never have I even seen ONE. This one's a novelty.

[Aragorn243]

I thought the brass was unusual but not unprecedented. There are several mid 1800's bayonets with brass cross guards. US Dahlgren, 1861 navy, Ames navy and British 1855

[browningautorifle]

There are several mid 1800's bayonets with brass cross guards.

Yes, I was referring to these.

[Giove]

Partial correction to my previous post (#4).

The MLM Mark II has the barrel lightest compared to previous models, but has the "later style lighter profile just forward of the flat", so the diameter of the muzzle is the same.