1907 Bayonet refurb programme?

[bigduke6]

It is my theory that the blades were shot blasted as part of the refurb programme simply to clean the blades up, remove any corrosion etc and to give them a uniform appearance. I would guess that a significant number of the 1907 bayonets that had seen WW1 service were in a somewhat tired state in 1918. After shot blasting the blades would automatically have a dull grey finish and leaving them in this state would save an additional process in the refurb programme i.e. polishing. Whether or not it was also felt that it was desirable to have the blades dull so as to stop them glistening in moonlight I don't know; it has certainly been suggested by others and this may be a bonus reason for shot blasting them.

One of my 1907s by Sanderson is dated December 1918. Does any-one own a newer, U.K. produced, 1907 by Sanderson or by one of the less common makers such as Mole, Vickers or Chapman. I realise that Wilkinson made them into WW2.

Going off memory Vickers only started production in 1917 so they would be a blasted finish, will dig out my Vickers and check the the date on the Mole .... I,m guessing it was easier maintenance on a rough finish and manufacture, just dip in oil or wipe oil over, I,ve a few 1907's and would say all are a rough finish apart from the two hookies I have.... looking at the other pre 1907 bayonets they all had shiny blades, 1903, 1888, Martini Henry.....

[Flying10uk]

I have one of my1907s which I believe to have been post ww1 refurb bayonet ie shot blasted blade and bluing onto the blade by about 3/4". The wood grips are off at the moment to deal with some rusting. Both grips have Enfield manufacture marks and it's a Chapman bayonet. Perhaps all the 1907s that were part of the 1920s refurb programme have grips by Enfield; it may be a common trait???

[Peter Laidler]

Anyone seen FT in a diamond on the rear of the P'07 grips? Fredrick Tibbenham or 'Tibbies' to the locals around Ipswich (the English Ipswich for you Aussies.....) were churning zillions of them out at the same time as they were producing Mk 2 Bren and Mk5 Sten butts. A lady who I spoke to while researching the makers of Mk2 Bren parts gave me a couple of sets.

[Flying10uk]

I think that I have seen the FT in the diamond on something in my collection but can't remember if it was on a pair of 1907 grip or on something else. Did they make the grips for the No5 bayonet as well???

[Peter Laidler]

No as far as I know. Just No1 grips. That was to save waste because some of the wood was 'mottled' and unsuitable for butts and in other cases, there might be a large off-cut (but too short for a butt) that could be used. They also had some bayonets and a butt slide in their various rest rooms to show them what they were making as their contribution to their war effort.