Sterling bayonet

[Peter Laidler]

Don't bust a gut NZL1A1. It's only a rifle blade and grips. The story I got from DH while writing the book was that Sterling only used to go to them for bayonets every now and then for small quantities. Sterling used to supply the pommels and cross pieces and the bayonets used to come back to Sterling to be blued or phosphated according to the order specification. Sterling would also fit the catches, springs and bolts and screws (all made in-house) and grips. The latter batches of bayonets came back l;ooking as they should but the grips wouldn't fit. There was a lot of too-ing and fro-ing and then it dawned on them that they were L1A1 blades, left over from ex Army contracts that were being used. Sterling weren't happy little rabbits but the contractors explained the situation and the use of the MUCH cheaper and readily available steel grips available from them (or in this case, via contacts at nearby Enfield Lock).

Sterling amended the grip spec, added the steel grips to their inventory and the rest is history........ steel gripped SMG/hybrid No5 bayonets

If you really want to put wood No5 grips onto a steel gripped bayonet, you can, but be warned, that the steel is VERY hard AND tough.

[tankhunter]

Peter, I personaly,was like yourself, Aware of this 'Difficulty' in Sterlings History. The Chief design & Tech Drawing engineer (Frank Waters) was a Personal friend of mine. I learnt a LOT from Frank about what went on 'Behind the scenes' at Sterlings! I recently acquired a pair of BLACK PLASTIC grips for a No.5, but I have NEVER seen or heard any references to this variant. Are you able to elucidate Mate?

[browningautorifle]

Black plastic!!?? Here we go with another variant we haven't seen!

[tankhunter]

Black plastic!!?? Here we go with another variant we haven't seen!

Yes B.A.R, Why do you think I grabbed 'Em!......Good old Ebay!

[Peter Laidler]

David Howroyd says that they aren't from the Sterling stable. He suggests India. They did try plastics for some applications such as scabbards but plastics were pretty basic then and many everyday chemicals would affect them, making them useless. As well as extremely brittle in the cold. Are the grips retained using nuts and bolts. Interesting though

[tankhunter]

Peter, Yes, the grips are retained in the normal way with a pair of bolts & slotted nuts. I did think of India, but they STILL churn out thier variant of the SLR Bayonet (LONGER) with Wood Grips. WHY would they turn to plastic when there is an abundance of Timber growing there?
You are aware Im SURE, that to machine up an injection mould after Tech Drawing one up & setting up for production for just this pair of componants alone, would cost MANY thousands to do. A logical qustion to my mind would be 'why' when there is so much wood growing there?
But, I Totaly agree, it IS interesting.....& a little perplexing!

[peregrinvs]

WHY would they turn to plastic when there is an abundance of Timber growing there?

Wanting to look 'up to date'? (Possibly to encourage exports?) The INSAS assault rifle has polymer furniture, although I've read elsewhere they've also made wood furniture for them.

I have a small collection of Indian bayonets and would quite like to get an INSAS bayonet at some point.

[porterkids]

I have two Sterling/No5 bayonets in my collection with plastic grips. I think they both may have come from a source in England. One has the grips riveted and the other has screws with slotted fasteners.

[browningautorifle]

How bout some pics Porterkids?

[tankhunter]

How bout some pics Porterkids?

Yes, that would be great! Are the Riveted grips, machine Riveted. Or done by hand?