Cruciform Bayonet-Maltby?

[Mudhut]

Several years ago, I purchased a 1944 oil-soaked, wire-brushed, dark-bore, "ishy" screw No4Mk1, condition somewhat less than advertised. I assume the M on the receiver socket stands for Maltby. It came with a cruciform bayonet marked G M R, No4Mk1, S M. The stylized M on the rifle and in G M R on the bayonet look the same. Does the M stand for Maltby? Someone told me the cruciform bayonet was a rare variant and fairly valuable. Is that true?

Information

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[Amatikulu]

The SM is for Singer Machines the only maker of cruciform bayonets in WW2.

Haven't seen any sell for a while but I would think $100 plus is about right.

[Mudhut]

Thanks for the information. Would the M that is between the G and the R on the bayonet be linked to the M on the rifle? Would Singer Machines have designated a bayonet for Maltby by marking it with a stlyized M?

[old-smithy]

The SM bayonets were made for all No4's and not fixed to a specific arsenal. Although always called "rare" a huge number of these blades were actually made and production continued well after the MkII was introduced. You have to be very carefull of fakes as they are rampant,

[Mudhut]

I don't think this one is a fake as it came through one of the large C&R purveyors. I am still wondering if the M on the rifle and the M on the bayonet are indicative of Maltby.

[Amatikulu]

Mudhut - are you sure it's an "M" and not a royal crown with GR on either side of it? That would make the GR stand for Georgius Rex or King George VI the British monarch at the time the bayonet`was made

[Mudhut]

Rerettably, I believe you are right. Ignorance was bliss! I got the magnifiying glass out and there is a small spud on top of the M. But, it is good to know what it is and who made the bayonet. Thank you.

[Roadawg]

The SM is for Singer Machines the only maker of cruciform bayonets in WW2.

Haven't seen any sell for a while but I would think $100 plus is about right.

Amazing what time does, we were buying these cruciform Enfield bayonets for 10 cents apiece in 1962 at a surplus store in Santa Rosa, CA. He had a 30 gal barrel of them! Should bought more!

[nzl1a1collector]

In NZ Mk.1 bayonets go for between NZ$250 - NZ$450ea. (US$180 - US$330), now that hurts!

[Peter Laidler]

The SM actually stand for SINGER MANUFACTURING as in Singer Sewing Machines. They made our first production Sten Guns too. Based in Glasgow, Scotland. Not a wise move to let the Jocks make small arms because for 30 years after the war, Sten guns from Singer featured big in the gangland armouries there!