Lithgow HT Sniper Bayonet

[Bruce_in_Oz]

Not really a bayonet guy, however, my reading of the drawings, etc, is this:

The "Machete" bayonet was officially called the "Bayonet, Parachutist' and was originally intended for the "Rifle, Intermediate", also known unofficially as the "Shortened and Lightened"; basically a shortened (20 inch barrel) No1 with a standard nosecap. These were proposed for issue to the developing Australian airborne forces in WW2. The "lopped" Patt. '07 was also proposed and was snapped up as a "good idea' as a bayonet for the Own .

"Purpose-made" shortened '07s were also made for the same purpose.

A give-away that the "Bayonet, Parachutist" was made for the No.1 rifle style nose cap, (as fitted to the "Rifle, Intermediate"), is the simple fact that the top of the blade would become an embarrassment if fitted to an Owen (Mk 1/2, etc, because it lines up nicely with the bore. Fitted onto a No1 style nose cap, the blade stays well clear of the bore line.

Given the minuscule numbers of both the Rifle, Intermediate, and Bayonet, Parachutist made, they essentially fall into the "experimental" category. This fate also befell the No, 6 Carbine series (and bayonets) . The bayonets for the No.6 carbines took the hilt and properly-ground blade of the "Intermediate", short '07 bayonet and grafted on a new quillon that would fit the conical, sort-of No.5-looking flash hider. The serial number range is an additional giveaway.

I know of NO GENUINE examples or even drawings of a "Machete" blade fitted for a No 6 Carbine. Can honestly say I have never seen a fake one, either, but one will probably turn up eventually.

I'm sure some enterprising individual could craft one, but.........