No 7 Bayonet

[Arthur OZ]

I understand that the No 7 bayonet was originally designed for the Sten Mk V, but was it made in quantity and was it ever general issue to the squadies for their No 4 rifles.

Information

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[John Sukey (Deceased)]

Mostly used for ceremonial use by folks like the Guards. (Looks much better than that nasty old spike on parade

Also some were modified for the EM2 protptype which never went into production.

[Strangely Brown]

Newsreel footage in the Gloucesters Regimental Museum show them embarking for Korea with spikes and parading after their tour with the No7; I believe the Paras and the Guards were the main units issued with them as John says.

[Peter Laidler]

That's correct Arthur. The giveaway is the VAOS the Army Ordnance Stores) number prefix of B3-CRxxxx. B3 is sub machine carbines, guns and accessories. The No7 bayonet cost more to produce than the Mk2 Sten gun. The No7 bayonet cost £3-6 shillings (£3.30p) and a Mk5 Sten gun cost £5-16 shillings. Not a lot of people know that!

In truth, they were absolute rubbish. One of the old Armourers at our big base workshop here told me recently that because the blade was rivetted to the central axis part by two(?) rivets, and rivetted on a radius at that....., he never found one that was tight or didn't wobble.

[Alan de Enfield]

Apparently only 100,000 manufactured so they are on the 'rare side' compared to other variations.

[Mk VII]

Duke of Wellington's Regt, having just come in from a patrol in Korea, with a No.7 Bayonet visible.

[Peter Laidler]

This was a remarkable series of photos taken after a spectacular night fighting patrol. I spoke to the National Service Lieutenant, Lt Harms, the i/c of the patrol about 20 years ago. One of the photos is in the Sten book (Collector Grade). Fighting patrols were usually carried out by large numbers but this was about 4 sections strength. They took some prisoners and were ambushed on their way back but fought their way out then re-ambushed another Chinese patrol regular Army patrol that had gone to chase them. They inflicted major casualties and had to battle their way again but a patrol of the Royal Fusiliers (?) heard what was going on. The Fusiliers were all (?)armed with Brens and diverted over to what was going on. And between them they made a meal of what was left of the original Chinese and follow-up patrol. They kept the prisoners too! A remarkable set of blokes.................

Not quite Lee Enfield but sort of...................

[Amatikulu]

You are right Peter, "not quite Lee Enfield but sort of....."

Perhaps we should consider changing this forum's title to be a little more inclusive

I guess the first question is "Should the forum title be changed?"

If so, "what should it be called"

We already have a separate Martini Henry Forum so don't want to infringe on that,

Any thoughts?

[Alan de Enfield]

You are right Peter, "not quite Lee Enfield but sort of....."

Perhaps we should consider changing this forum's title to be a little more inclusive

I guess the first question is "Should the forum title be changed?"

If so, "what should it be called"

We already have a separate Martini Henry Forum so don't want to infringe on that,

Any thoughts?

"Enfield Rifles & Associated Paraphernalia" ?

[jmoore]

20th century...., no not quite , Uhhhhhh. Dang,... Enfield weapons forum? Foo...