Bayonet 1907 with Arabic markings

[msimms]

The blade it has been in my possession since Feb 04 when I was in Kirkuk, Iraq. Sadly there is no scabbard. My interest is in the story of how it might have made its journey from its site of production to Kirkuk and finally here to the US. The value of the blade is of no consequence to me save for the story behind it. Also, i had the hope to maybe find a proper home for it as it deserves a better ending than simply rusting in the bottom of my footlocker. If it were possible for it to accompany a rifle that served in the same region/era I would be pleased. This is the beginning of my search to discover the travels of this blade and how it ended up with me. Thank you for your replies in advance

Information

Warning: This is a relatively older thread This discussion is older than 360 days. Some information contained in it may no longer be current.

[Aragorn243]

Not sure that is Arabic. Can't find anything that looks like it. Checked Persian, Sanscrit, Nepal.

[msimms]

Guess I was thinking Arabic because I got it in Iraq and because of the Arabic numerals. There is a high probability I have misnamed it because I am unfamiliar with the proper terminology. Thanks for looking into it

[Aragorn243]

The first and third could be arab numerals but not sure about the middle one, could be a zero. Backwards 3 could be a 4 and 0 could be a 5. I've always seen them more like script, these are blocky.

[AFJon]

I'm thinking we are looking at 504, could be wrong though.

Scabbards are available here if you wanted to get one.

BRITISH

[old-smithy]

Iraq and several other Arabic countries used British equipment both before an after WWII. I have an Iraqi one with a definite Iraqi marking on it, plus a Jordanian and an Egyptian, so an 07 in Iraq is not that uncommon an occurance[COLOR="black"]

[msimms]

Here is what I have discovered thus far. A couple of sources I found are oldmilitarymarkings.com and thearmouryonline.co.uk. It’s a British manufactured bayonet. On the left ricasso from top to bottom is the Crown with the letters G R barely visible beneath. This is the Reign Mark of Georgius Rex(King George V) 1911-1936. Next is quite obvious however, but in the center is 1907 which is the model number. Next is 9 to the left and *24 to the right. This is the date of acceptance into service (Sept 1924). Finally at the bottom is EFD signifying the maker as Royal Small Arms Factory, Enfield.
On the right ricasso top to bottom is the “Broad Arrow” which is the government acceptance mark. Next below that (and also to the left) is the Crown with T6 E under it. This is the inspection or view mark of the inspector at various stages during production. What a wonderful find it would be discovering the record to whom T6 E was assigned. Next center is the X or bend mark. Finally on the lower right is EFD with 24 under it and what appears to be an inverted broad arrow above. This mark I have been unable to discover the meaning.
Finally we come to the Arabic numerals on the pommel. These numerals translate to 504 or 405. Some say that Arabic numerals are read right to left, but I am not familiar with this. It may become highly important later in my search as this is the location where the Regimental Markings would be were a bayonet of British manufacture issued to a regiment of the British Army. This is somewhat perplexing as I can observe no other acceptance marks on the blade save the one for Government Service. Some have stated that the 504 may simply be a rack number, however I am investigating if there may have been Arabic Regiments comprised of local nationals in the 1920s British Army.
This blade has made quite a journey thus far from London Borough of Enfield to the Middle East and now to the US.

[old-smithy]

http://www.old-smithy.info/bayonets/...n_bayonets.htm