No4 Mk2 Bayonet Question

[Banjo1928]

A good friend of mine was recently given a very nice No4 Mk2 dated 7/49. He asked me what bayonet would be correct. Old Mr. "knows just enough to be dangerous" and with out doing any research said, "you want the little spike one." I told him that's what they were using at the end, they went from swords, to little blades, to spikes. So on my sage advice he bought a nice little spike bayonet for it. Then, after the fact I was reading and I saw a statement that said, in 1948 they had gone back to the short blade. I will need to make this right but would appreciate input from those that know. What is proper for a No4 MK2 7/49 (F) serial number 1224xx.

Information

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[Singer B]

As another who knows nothing about bayonets but is learning from others here, I would say "whatever fits the gun." That gives you a great excuse to get more than one!

[Strangely Brown]

There is film of the Gloucester's going off to Korea in 1951 with spikes and having a victory parade afterwards with the No.7 bayonet which no doubt went back into stores the moment the parade was over!

[browningautorifle]

Canadian infantry kept the spike until they changed over to the FN in '56/'58.

[CINDERS]

The No. 9 Mk. I bayonet has an interesting history. It represents the culmination of a post-war desire to replace the No. 4 spike bayonet. The first attempt to do so resulted in the innovative No. 7 Mk. I/L bayonet. With the War Department's decision not to issue the No. 7 Mk. I/L bayonet with the .303 caliber Lee-Enfield No. 4 rifle, there remained a strong desire to replace the No. 4 spike bayonet. Compared to the elaborate No. 7 Mk. I/L, he No. 9 Mk. I was a much simpler, utilitarian affair, with a sturdy socket pinned to the clip-point blade of the No. 5 Mk. I bayonet. Because the No. 9 Mk. I blade was closely patterned on the No. 5 Mk. I bayonet, the No. 5 scabbard was retained for use with the No. 9 Mk. I bayonet. Production commenced in 1947, even before the No. 9 Mk. I was officially approved. (They couldn't off the No. 4 Spike soon enough!). Indigenous versions of the No. 9 bayonet were also produced in Pakistan and South Africa.

I just brought examples of all the types from the cruciform pike thru No.'s MkI, MkII, MkIII pikes the No.7 and No.9 so I can fit up my No.4's for any period I wish.
The bayonets are like the 303's they grow on you and just keep landing in the collection I stopped going for makers as that is just another whole can of worms.

I did start that quest with the No 07's but when you start getting into the Moles, Vickers, Chapmans, James Arthur Chapmans (JAC), Lithgows, OA's & Siamese issue etc it wallet emptying.
And as far as a Lithgow Quillon goes forget that or any one of the type the cheapest I have seen is a roughie at $1600.oo/AUD up to $5K for some.

[Banjo1928]

Thank you all! As always the amount of knowledge here is fantastic. Answer a question and get an education! Thank you it can be a bit complex for the rookie.

[Melanie_Daniels]

In 1949 Britain had a lot of spikes prduced in WW2 and they pruduced the No. 7 and the No. 9 bayonets. Witch bayonet was used was a question for the unit that carried the rifle. In this year they didn`t have enough No. 7 or No. 9 bayonets for all rifles so he can choose the bayonet he has, the bayonet he wants, the bayonet he can get or the best looking bayonet.

[Banjo1928]

In 1949 Britain had a lot of spikes prduced in WW2 and they pruduced the No. 7 and the No. 9 bayonets. Witch bayonet was used was a question for the unit that carried the rifle. In this year they didn`t have enough No. 7 or No. 9 bayonets for all rifles so he can choose the bayonet he has, the bayonet he wants, the bayonet he can get or the best looking bayonet.

It doesn't get any better than that. I more or less told him that and he seems quite happy. Thanks again for all of the help and interesting information.

[CINDERS]

I like the No.9 for looks, yes its not that practical in the hand not having a handle so to speak but with that said with it placed on the end of the rifle with its knife like appearance with the clip point, would put the wind up the enemy seeing a large group of soldiers bearing down on your position ready to do the business.

As a side note to bayonets ~ in WWI the Germans feared the Australian soldiers dexterity with the 07 pattern bayonet when our troops got into their trenches and started to work them over with the instrument, in fact the Germans hated being opposite the Australians at anytime.