1943 Indian Enfield Bayonets (Ethiopian Refurbishment)

[Aragorn243]

I tend to do things in spurts because I'm thinking about them so these Indian bayonets always seem to appear in twos or threes for me.

The first is the one I got from Sarco and mentioned on that thread. This is advertised as an Ethiopian refurbishment using 1917 grips. The bayonet was originally manufactured by RFI in India which is the most common manufacturer of these. When I had it next to the second one, I also noticed that it is half an inch shorter. I have not dug out my others to see if this is abnormal or a manufacturer difference. Date of manufacture appears to be scrubbed. The factory refurbishment appears to have been 1953. What I thought were possible Ethiopian symbols are just numbers I couldn't see right with my new post surgery eyesight. Looks like TD over 23 and I have no idea what that means. Possible rack numbers on the end. This is an uncommon bayonet in Indian service as it is marked MK2 rather than MKII.









The second I found the same day and it came today. This is a more rare one. M.I.L. or Metal Industries Lahore which is now in Pakistan. One of the more crude bayonets and the "stamping" looks more like hand engraving. Second half of date is missing on this one. 4 is all that is showing.

[Aragorn243]

Here's some more of my Indian bayonets. This is another of the rare ones, JU (Julum Arsenal) which is another Pakistan armory if I remember correctly.













---------- Post added at 05:37 PM ---------- Previous post was at 05:32 PM ----------

And I can confirm that the Ethiopian bayonet was shortened 1/2 inch. All other bayonets that I located (I think I have two or three more somewhere based on other photos I have) are the same.



---------- Post added at 05:41 PM ---------- Previous post was at 05:37 PM ----------

This is an RFI 1945 MKIII with square pommel.











---------- Post added at 05:45 PM ---------- Previous post was at 05:41 PM ----------

This is an MWR MKII 1942













---------- Post added at 05:49 PM ---------- Previous post was at 05:45 PM ----------

NWR MKII 1944













---------- Post added at 05:53 PM ---------- Previous post was at 05:49 PM ----------

RFI MKII 1942













---------- Post added at 05:57 PM ---------- Previous post was at 05:53 PM ----------

And the granddaddy of them all, a cut down 1907 which became the MKI.

[Flying10uk]

It is surprising how much these Indian short SMLE bayonets have gone up in value or how much is being asked for them now. When I purchased my first example, a Mk2, I only paid around £15 for it including a scabbard.

It looks like the JU and the MK3 may have cut down Australian scabbards.

[Peter Laidler]

Never imagined that there'd be so many examples. Did you ever establish what ECL indicated? I would imagine it was a Territorial/State regiment. XX Lancers ?

In my experience, the slightly shorter bayonets war caused by the crunchies throwing them into old tree-trunks etc etc.. And when it became difficult to pull out, just twisted it until the tip broke off! We would re-shape the tips on the No5's, and 7's and L1's but if they fell below 7.5"(?), they'd be scrapped.

In Australia we did have 4 (or 6 ?) No1 bayonets with rounded tips and chromed that were used by the ceremonial Colour Party so that they wouldn't get caught up in the beautifully embroidered regimental colours carried by the most junior Second Lieutenant.

Re the above. The Battalions kept the No1 bayonets and rifles for the Colour Party at ceremonial events but the Colour Party rifle drills were incompatible with the L1A1 rifle drills used by the rest of the Battalion so the last of the No1's were withdrawn from that and L1A1's took over from about '67 or so. The Duty/Orderly Sergeant always wore a No1 bayonet though, out of tradition. Is it still the case anyone?

[browningautorifle]

Is it still the case anyone?

My regiment here was following this practice back in '14 at least. We didn't do it in pre '98 though. Also during ceremonial parades we had taken up practice of the right guide using a lash up C7 bayonet handle with a #1Mk3 bayonet blade welded on. I guess for visual reference during the right dress... The color party here uses a stub scabbard chape on a chrome bayonet to save the colors on parade.