And todays mystery object?????

[Patrick Chadwick]

In my time as a cadet signaller, I discovered that the spike bayonet for the No.4 had two uses:

1) as an impromptu earthing spike to improve communication.

2) as an emergency beer can opener, when the ring-pull comes off the can in the middle of a blasted heath (Macbeth, ye ken, it was in Scotland), and its the only pointy tool for miles around.

Obviously, one applies 2) before 1), to avoid getting dirt in the beer. Furthermore (cunning technical argument) the beer-wetted spike will provide better a better earth than a dry one!

Seriously now, looking at the rather thin strap loops on the outside, whatever was inside cannot have been very heavy...

[Buccaneer]

I had another thought about the possible age of this case and what might have gone into it. Bolt action rifles are really all to bulky even the No5 would be a tight fit, it then occurred to me that perhaps a Martini might fit and low and behold a .303 martini carbine is perfect, I tried one of mine and it went straight in like it was made for it, even the "bayonet" stowage imprint is a good match for the bayonet that I have. It is definitely a candidate as it's not a heavy combination but unless a picture can be found to show this case in use I guess we will never really know.

[CINDERS]

What length was the Lee saddle carbine an officers order for the case, perhaps they would have had the double edge 1888 or '03 just a herrings idea......

[Patrick Chadwick]

it then occurred to me that perhaps a Martini might fit and low and behold a .303 martini carbine is perfect, I tried one of mine and it went straight in like it was made for it, even the "bayonet" stowage imprint is a good match for the bayonet that I have.

Percussion, flintlock, bolt action - all have bits sticking out which would give trouble in that case.
But a Martini*! Sounds good!
It would just need a kind of cap over the foresight (to keep the blade off the "floor") that would run along the grooves.
Please, could you post a photo of the Martini in the case?

*Or a Winchester???

[Buccaneer]

Please, could you post a photo of the Martini in the case?

No problem Patrick but it may take a couple of days, many thanks for your input. Paul

[Peter Laidler]

The available knowledge and 'wisdom of the crowd' answers on this forum never fail to amaze me.........

[CINDERS]

Where else can you be amazed Peter in the comforts of your own home that's why we like it here

[villiers]

The Cyrillic script used on the stamp would seem to me to be unusual (the last two letters are not in the `modern´Cyrillic alphabet). This is common to most European languages that were mainly codified during the 19th and 20th centuries. So the stamp could well be identified as `1843´. But then we´d have to find a source for the export of military equipment from the UK to Russia during this period (with a volume that would explain the use of a Cyrillic stamp). A similar problem exists with a small number of Luger pistols with `Russian´ (or maybe `Bulgarian´) Cyrillic stamped receivers that many believe are not authentic.

[Buccaneer]

Pictures as promised, I am not saying that this is the right combination but it would certainly seem to be a good candidate.

[Patrick Chadwick]

Many thanks for the photos. It looks very plausible. It just needs something in the nature of a support block fitted to the front end, that slides along the slots inside the case and prevents the carbine from snagging on the leather along the bottom.