1903 Grips ?

[boristhepig]

Hi
I have a Enfield produced 1903 pattern bayonet in very nice condition, but the grips have been grooved, and wonder if any one as seen this before or know why it was done ?
Thanks Terry

Information

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[browningautorifle]

That's just done my an individual for his own twisted sadistic reasons. The armorers would have replaced them as soon as they saw them and charged the individual for the replacement. May even have been done since release by the Gov't...

[boristhepig]

Thanks Jim
I nearly passed on buying the bayonet due to the the grips, as I had a feeling it was not a sanctioned job. But the price was to good to pass as the rest of the bayonet is so nice. My next question is where do I find a set of 1903 grips ?

Regards Terry

[Flying10uk]

I guess that they are going to be a different size to 1907 grips? I've seen plenty of 1907 grips for sale but don't recall ever seeing any 1903 grips being offered. I suspect that you may have to make a set or get them made for you?

[Aragorn243]

Pulled out my 1903 and 1907 bayonets and most definitely could not use the 1907's. They are too long which isn't the problem, the problem is the screw holes also being further apart. I am a constant ebay searcher and 1903 bayonets don't even come up very often. So rarely in fact that I think I've only ever come across two of them in the past year, one of which is now the one I have here to compare. They should be relatively easy to make, I think that's the direction I'd go. You have a good example for the correct contour. You just need to get some appropriate wood.

[henry r]

that is a really really nice '03.

to me the '03 is the perfect looking bayonet. i need to follow your (aragorn's) lead and start properly hunting for one that fits my budget.

[browningautorifle]

I'd use a nice flat piece of clean walnut and make a set. I've done all sorts like 1905 SA, Arisaka, Mauser 98, Eddystone 14/17...and so forth. Not too bad to make.

[Aragorn243]

Mine isn't anywhere near that condition. It is a reworked 1888 bayonet. Blade has the usual staining, a small bit of pitting. Handle shows it's age. Then again, I didn't pay that much for it either. It seemed to be one of the rare ones that escaped everyone's attention.

[Flying10uk]

If I was making the grips I would start by selecting the wood "blanks" larger than the grip profile and slightly thicker. I would then drill the holes to the correct pitch and diameter then I would counter-bore the holes to the correct depth for the screws. I would then reduce the size of the grips to the correct profile required.

[Peter Laidler]

Those grips are an absolute doddle to make. It's L1A1 grips from wood that are difficult! I had to make 12 pairs from Meranti once for SLR bayonets being used by the quarter guard and used No5 grip screws to secure them to the bayonet handle.