Enfield number 5 Mk 1 Bayonet help

[LesterH]

Thanks for the info Peter. Regarding hand grips on No5 bayonets. I have a late produced Sterling No5 bayonet. Fitted as standard with metal hand grips. Similar to the grips on a L1a3 or 4 bayonet.
If any one needs some wood grips for their No5 bayonet ( two hole type). With a bit of cutting and redrilling you might get a set of 1907 bayonet grips to fit. Terry Abrams and Chelmsford Militaria. Have new wooden 1907 hand grips on sale for £7.50 a pair. Having had problems in the early part of my militaria collecting days, I tend to buy bayonet spare parts if they come on to the market, just in case!

Kind regards, Lester

Information

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[Peter Laidler]

Pattern 07 bayonet grips are much to thin to be of any use on the No5 bayonet. We did a big Ordnance trawl for No1 rifle parts for the L60 (the DP version of the No1 rifle) and unearthed a load of the grips wrongly catalogued as No5 grips but they were unuseable/useless! I seem to recall that we had loads of the grip screws and nuts too but these were the wrong length and thread

[LesterH]

Thanks for the note Peter. Looks like it's the old wood chisle and sand paper method then!

[LesterH]

Thank you for the above post. this disposal policy may explain why British Army Militaria and D/A weapons are rapidly rising in value. At a time when the Government is skint. They could sell No5 bayonets to UK dealers , for a tidy sum for each one. Instead of getting £150 a tonne scrap metal. We as British Tax payers bought this equipment. So we should be able to use it. They would get more money than scrap value for an SLR rifle or Stirling SMG if they sold them to a D/A gun dealer. My SLR cost £300 D/A and My Stirling,Stirling cost £270!
Apologies to every one for moaning.

Kind regards, Lester

[HOOKED ON HISTORY]

Apologies to every one for moaning.

No apologies required.
You are trying to apply common sence that you and I use every day to political decisions which by there very nature are devoid of All common sence.
I do it too. It just makes my head hurt.

[tankhunter]

The British Govermnet does not opperate on Commonsense! Never has done as far as Im aware!
As for your thought on what a waste it is to destroy anything Weapon related rather than sell it on for VERY viable returns!

They are NOT interested! If it's to do with Weapons = Cut it up. It does NOT matter how much you would get back from it finacially WHATSOEVER!

Government Logic: = Destroy ANY smallarms. & you WONT have any Crime caused through them!!!

Criminal Logic: = We will buy out of the country, Ex COMBLOC AK 47s for a Fiver each. Solution EASY!........................

I visited a HUGE Complex Shed at Donnington once in the course of an Official visit when I was on duty. Next to the main smallarms workshop, was a long hanger with twenty six foot tables in lines.
On these tables were Artillery Lugers, Colt 1911A1's, Mauser Broom handled pistole WITH wooden stocks, S&W Revolvers Etc Etc. NEW Boxed double barrel 12 Bore shotguns & the like.

I enquired what these were for. 'Destruction' I was informed.'they are a TYPICAL batch which we get fortnightly from the Police & mainly seizures in Northern Ireland'. I said, 'What about getting the Mausers Lugers Etc. All the RARE stuff sold onto Dealers & proof tested & then they are 'on the books, legal, & traceable'. The proceeds from these sales could go into Service Charities to benifit Ex Servicemen & help the charites themsleves. all good stuff'.
'Nope' I was told. 'Government policy is. Offer them to Museums Etc for free. If they already have an example of whatever is offered them. They dont need any of the same. Then what is left (Almost ALL of the Guns) is to be Cut up & put in the smelting furnace'!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I said, 'Dont they realise that important pieces if History are being vandalised here like this'? 'Yep, & they are NOT interested'............................

They also implimented the policy of Guillotining then smelting all the L4A3 & A4 7.62mm Converted Bren LMGs as well. This would explain the SERIOUS shortage of these Historic weapons on the Civvy Deact Market!

Just about sums up what I have said previously, dosent it?..........................

[Aragorn243]

Well after watching one quickly rise to over $350 on ebay this week and still not sold, I found a repro at a gun show today and purchased it for the tidy sum of $20. That was the selling point. Dealer assured me it would fit on my rifle (it didn't) but for that minimal price I figured I'd take a chance so I can at least show people what they look like.

After about 15 minutes with a piece of sandpaper and a 3/8 inch drill bit, it now fits perfectly on my rifle. I spent about another 40 minutes sanding off all the finish from the blade and neatening it up and am currently stripping the finish off the handle. For $20, it looks extremely good. It will do until I can luck across one at a yard sale or find someone interested in trading for my 1918 marked 1917 US Enfiled bayonet.

[HOOKED ON HISTORY]

I have been watching every one on e-bay. Without loads of cash and sniping software I do not think we are going to get one there. The things are selling for slightly less than I paid for each of my two No 5 Mk 1s. That being said they both really need a pointy end so the search continues.

[HOOKED ON HISTORY]

My search will not end here.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...:B:WNA:US:1123

[peregrinvs]

or find someone interested in trading for my 1918 marked 1917 US Enfiled bayonet.

Out of interest, what are they currently worth? I have one I bought about 10 years ago. No plans to sell - just curious.
Thanks,
Mark