SA 80 Bayonet

[green]

Noticed some dealers now have British SA 80 bayonets in stock. Some dealer list them as reproduction others as genuine. Are the the real deal or repros?

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[Roy W]

I suppose it depends on which one you are referring to?

[Flying10uk]

Noticed some dealers now have British SA 80 bayonets in stock. Some dealer list them as reproduction others as genuine.

I asked WWA this specific question, a while back, and they told me that their examples were "unissued genuine" bayonets. I didn't get into the "hows and whys" of how they managed to get hold of them because it wasn't really any of my business.

B134 British SA80 Rifle Bayonet

[tankhunter]

There are a LOT of SA80 Bayonets on the Market. Due in the main to stocks being disposed of when Enfield Lock closed.

A HUGE amount of these were in the unfinished state. That is to say in the Main, the axis pin holes for the Retention catch were Not drilled.

It was a Very simple matter, to post release. Drill these holes, locate or cast some catches.
Select a suitable axis pin & operating spring. & then assemble.

The scabbards' too, are feely available, on 'That' Auction site.

Les at WWA Arms did purchase a lot of surplus OLD stocks from the MOD also. These had the initial pattern ANGLED wire cutter bodies on the scabbard ends.
These were soon replaced in service, as there were a few 'issues' with them!.....

It may well have been cost effective in the MOD mind, to dispose of these & purchase new Bayonets complete. Rather than Modify the entire old stock holdings?
After all, one thing that Has never changed in the Military. Is saving Pennies, & wasting THOUSANDS!...……..

[skiprat]

I believe WWA also got many blades straight from the factory even before the MOD got their hands on them, ( from the end of the production run)
I have seen a few reproduction fittings for the original scabbards (the wire cutter)

[green]

Enfield closed in 1988 and the SA80 bt did not appear in any numbers on the market until recently so I cannot see any connection.

[tankhunter]

Enfield closed in 1988 and the SA80 bt did not appear in any numbers on the market until recently so I cannot see any connection.

Approximately 30 brand new complete L85A1's were purchased direct from Royal Ordnance Plc by Helstons in Cornwall. They were Deactivated to Old Spec then & Certified by the Proof house.
I Bought three at the time & sold them on. The sales of further stocks were stopped by RO. As the MOD 'Complained' about them being sold on the Civy circuit.
RO pointed out that they were a Plc (Public Limited company) & as such, could sell thier own products to whom they like. (Legal Sales of course!) The MOD were 'unhappy' about this.
& Pressured RO by stating they would cancel the contract & source a weapon system elsewhere if they continued up this path!

So,.....No More complete L85's were sold in the UK. Except to the MOD. & Marconi for conversion into SAT Trainers.
The Bayonets however, as has been posted by Roy W. Were also manufactured by a few other contractors.
& '2nds' & left over production overruns. Were sold/ disposed of, how they wished.

---------- Post added at 03:44 AM ---------- Previous post was at 03:38 AM ----------

I still hope to, one day find "the holy grail" of SA80 bayonets, the early one with the bottle opener

The Troop trials versions also had a serial number ETCHED into one of the fullers on the L3 Bayonets. They Were occasionally available on the collectors circuit.
But I have not seen one for many years now. I assume they reside & stay in Private collections?

[bigduke6]

Enfield closed in 1988 and the SA80 bt did not appear in any numbers on the market until recently so I cannot see any connection.

SA80's were on the Market in the 80's, Pat Walker guns had them (Advertised in Guns Review) , Although there are a few who don't like to see these adverts, I'm sure a few who have posted regarding the bayonets will testify to this. A few of the old adverts, the last one I love regarding the Sherman tanks........ I don't know what £10,000 in 86 would be worth now, but if anyone ever invents a time machine let me know.

[Flying10uk]

but if anyone ever invents a time machine let me know.

Dr Who - TARDIS - Wikipedia

[tankhunter]

Ah, Adverts from the Halcyon Days of the Magazine 'Guns Review'!
Wonderful Publication & as well as topics on upto date Firearms of the time.
They were also excellent at naming & shaming Underhanded tactics on Legislation by various Police Forces. & Government sly moves in attempts at penalising Shooters & collectors. By Restricting even more on Private ownership.!.....


The Sad ending of this publication was enacted by a VERY wealthy MP Privately. Due to the Gov Etc fearing being exposed about thier 'Practices' constantly.
Simply by Making the Magazine a Financial offer it could not refuse. Magazine, rights, Name etc duly Purchased. & the whole Ensemble shut down & closed forever!,,,,
Why? Because the 'Purchaser' could afford to do it easily, & Did!.....

Voice Muzzled & shut down. Another Platform for Legitimate shooters removed. Another Organisation that were not afraid to speak out against unfair, underhanded & Morally wrong implementation's by SELF SERVING Officialdom. Who wanted to achieve thier eventual goal. Or removing Private Firearm Ownership. & Forging ahead on Emasculating the British nation as a whole!.....

You can see what is Happening in France at present. With the Decent Members of that nation. Attempting to stand up against a corrupt & evil regime named the EU. The Wanting to form an EU Army. NOT for the protection & defence of member states against the threat from the East. but to CONTROL ALL of the various Populations of all EU Members states. Should thier Aforementioned Populations. DARE to speak out, Stand up & Resist. At Being DICTATED to! THAT, is the REAL reason for removal of private firearm ownership in the EU Etc!.....

It is a Fact, that If you push people hard enough. There is a breaking point where enough is enough!..... I fear that point is fast approaching a LOT of Countries in these 'Unsettling' Times!...…..