Just purchased a No4 Mk1 cruciform

[IanS]

Just thought I'd make a small contribution with some photos of my recent purchase, as I'm very pleased with it. There is no indication that it has been on a rifle. There is hardly a mark on the blued finish and it still has a lot of grease on it.
The spring loaded catch shows the usual SM but only a 4 is apparent, otherwise it seems to carry all the usual markings. I did notice a tiny stamped C on the outer curve of the socket, no photo as this ended up too blurred to use.
Ian.

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[limpetmine]

Interesting point, that the grooves don't go through the tip.

[IanS]

My one came from the bunch in the photographs attached. I bought it from a seller in Greece.

[browningautorifle]

That's a lot to have in one place at the same time...and all nice and blue. Marks look good though.

[IanS]

Hi Jim,
the guy said he only found a handful of cruciforms in 5000 spike bayonets. I'm wondering if he bought a load from the Greek government. Did we sell a load of No4 Enfields with other kit to Greece?
I'd like to know what US2 stands for and why there is only a 4 and not 41 or 42.
Ian.

[mrclark303]

I think post war we sold (gifted?) large numbers of small arms to both Italy and Greece.

Post war, communism was regarded as a serous threat to the fragile govenments in newly liberated countries.


Beefing up security to prevent them from sliding into civil war was probably a very good idea.

For the UK and the US it was a no brainer really, as we both had absolutely enoumous stockpiles of surplus ordinance following WW2.

[browningautorifle]

Did we sell a load of No4 Enfields with other kit to Greece?

Why yes there were a huge number of #4s and EIS went to Greece. They used them to good effect in the 1974 war in Cyprus and I believe the '64 iteration as well. You would see men in business suits with a #4 doing infantry stuff...you remember, infantry stuff?

[IanS]

Thanks for the feedback guys, very much appreciated. You just have to ask a question on this forum and you get answers.
These bayonets must have been in store for a very long time, they look to me to be a mixed bunch of well worn and unissued. The one I bought is the one with its tip nearest to the bottom of the picture, well that's the one I chose but it doesn't seem to have the same amount of grease.

Looking at the picture again, it seems the one I chose appears to be bent. I suspect the seller sent another.

Best wishes,
Ian.

[browningautorifle]

I'd like to know what US2 stands for and why there is only a 4 and not 41 or 42.

If you expand your pic you can see the faint outline of a digit, I would think a "1" beside the "4"...under the "SM" on the back of the catch. They probably struck that one with a dull deer antler...so it's faint.

[IanS]

Hi Jim,

I noticed that earlier but didn't want to jump to conclusions, I'm happy to agree with you for obvious reasons.

Best wishes,
Ian.