L3A1 SA80 Bayonet Casting

[Peter Laidler]

The actual steel was always a problem because this particular bayonet had many demands placed on it. It was a knife and therefore had to bend. But in bending, the tips were always snapping off. It was also a cutter so the shearing side had to retain its edge. It had to be all things to all men and for many years there wasn't one steel that could do all things. Throw stainless into the mix adds a new dimension. At one time certain regiments wanted them to be suitable for chroming - that was a non runner after several attempts. But Nickel plating worked.

All this......., as cheaply as possible. Mind you, whatever sort you came across, they were extremely tough material and drilling/tapping them for presentation pieces was a xxxxxxx nightmare

That aside, everyone wanted their finger in the bayonet pie. Bottle openers, tin openers, letter openers, daggers, duck-board chopper uppers, hot and cold running water......... One report I read, from a plain speaker who has just passed away suggested just leave it as a means of stabbing people. It would be as cheap to and give everyone a Leatherman to do everything else

Does anyone remember the early ones with serial numbers engraved in the groove. Very hard but the breaking tips made them useless!