When was the end of the P-1907 bayonet

[Vincent]

I think some Navy Lanchesters might have been sold as parts kits. I have one that’s so rusty and pitted it almost looks like a relic dug up from the Army dump.

[Peter Laidler]

Worth a photo Vince? Some of the Lanchesters that we used to get in from the NOD at HMS Terror(?) in Singapore for Base Workshop overhaul looked pretty grotty. Someone told us that they were kept in deck lockers.

[Vincent]

Deck lockers! Well that explains the rust. Thank you.











Not forgetting this is a bayonet thread.

[Peter Laidler]

We didn't see them that bad - but pretty close. Those from the submarines were quite bad. I think that they only carried 6 or 8. They told us that generally speaking the air inside the old subs that were based there was saline saturated. Don't know how true it was. One of the weapons men at the Naval Base there (I think he was a warrant rank, was Kelleher) arranged for a long day trip up the East coast up to Thailand on one of the submarines.

That said, after going through the process, they all went out looking new, test fired and zeroed...., such as it was although you could fit and use adjustable Sterling foresight blades. We fitted No4 butt plates to them and No4 butt swivels as I seem to remember that they had some mickey mouse sling swivel fitted that were always damaged.

[old-smithy]

I know you are asking about British use, but Canada and Australia have been mentioned so what about India, I have ones refurbished to go with rechambered SMLE's for 7.62mm from India, and have just passed on a Australian reworked 07 for the Korean War.

[Flying10uk]

I have a WW2 dated, U.K. produced, 1907 bayonet by Wilkinson and I believe they were the sole British maker during WW2 and it is marked W.S.C.. Did Wilkinson always mark their WW2 produced 1907s in this way or did they switch to their dispersal code at some point? Were all these WW2 1907s by Wilkinson intended for the Royal Navy or were some for Army or R.A.F. use? Did the Royal Navy apply any type of "ownership" marking? Thanks for any information.

[Peter Laidler]

I have one marked RAN on the back end. Royal Aust Navy? By coincidence it came with a Lanchester in the 80's or so that was marked with a large painted series of letter/numbers, like D67(?) which someone said was the number for a Destroyer - and the name HMS Cadiz seems to ring a bell. Lanchester long gone

Added later: Just looked and HMS Cadiz was sold to the Pakistan Navy and destroyed by an Indian missile attack. So the Lanchester could have been an ex Pak Navy one as the ships were sold complete.

[Aragorn243]

Kind of related, when did the 1903 bayonet become obsolete? My limited research said they were in common use in WWI but where did they all go? Rifles were around for a long time, were they just phased out as 1907's were produced. And what happened to all their scabbards? I just got one two days ago which is why I'm asking. No scabbard.

[Frederick303]

So I looked though my reference sources and found the following:

1) in UK service the No1 MK III was declared obsolete for land service in 1947, but reintroduced into stores in 1954. So says my reference, which is 1958 A.J Parker catalog. Does not say when it was retired the second time, but looking at the catalogs from the period it seems this might have been for some kind of potential home guard, considered in the immediate post Korean war period.

2) In Australian service the date seems to be 1959, though it seems they were refurbished as late as 1964 and were used in Initial entry training until at least 1968. Cadets seem to have been equipped with No1 MK III until 1975 when formally disarmed by the socialist government. Not sure if Cadets had bayonets.

3) In new Zealand service the date seems to be 1961, though that is based on when the SLR was introduced into service. Other source seems to indicate any on hand had not been issued since 1947, at least in land service.

4) In Indian service it is hard to tell, as the M1907 bayonet was generally cut down to a 12 inch variant after 1942. So not sure how many were on issue in the 17 inch variant for how long after 1942. Certainly the last No 1 MK III rifles were assembled in 1988 by rifle factory ishapore, at least the actions are so marked.

5) In Irish service the P1907 bayonet was used by the FCA until 1957. The bayonets were in storage until after 2004, when sold to SOG and other vendors.

6) In Canadian service formally retired in 1946.

[tankhunter]

And just to add to the Confusion on 1907 Patt bayonets! I will throw this one in!.......

Official Stated Obsolete from Service lists. Are just that 'Offiical', which a lot of small cases. Means NOTHING!...Why? you ask. Well Ill tell you.

When declared Obsolete from mil Service. That would mean, completely across the board from each Branch of the Military. In their OWN Service usage areas.

However............The 1907 Bayonet in BRIT Army Service. STILL soldier on in Service would you believe?.......How can this be? you may well ask! Easy, they soldier on in the CERIMONIAL Role ONLY.
Within CERTAIN Unit Military Bands!
I have witnessed/expirenced this with my own eyes. TWO example that spring to mind. Are the brigade of guards (Mainly Drummers with the 1907. Other Mussicians carry the N0.7 swivel Pommel)
Drummers USED to carry a short brass handled Sword in a buff leather frog. but in much later years. The 1907. Probably because a sword cost a LOT more!....

And also, when I was attached to 2nd Battalion The light infantry. Their Bandsmen had chromed metal & HIGHLY Polished. (Bulled) Scabbards. They did look good, I have to say!

so there you go. NOT officially in Service per say. But Sanctioned within Certain Unit Bands! STILL 'Serving On'!....