+ Reply to Thread
Results 1 to 2 of 2

Thread: No. 6-Style SMLE Bayonet

Click here to increase the font size Click here to reduce the font size
  1. #1
    Legacy Member marysdad's Avatar
    Join Date
    Aug 2010
    Last On
    03-06-2024 @ 07:34 PM
    Location
    No. Texas
    Posts
    99
    Real Name
    Ralph Cobb
    Local Date
    03-28-2024
    Local Time
    09:49 AM

    No. 6-Style SMLE Bayonet

    My apologies in advance for being so long-winded. I am hoping that someone may have some information or be able to suggest areas of inquiry to gain a better understanding of these interesting bayonets.



    There is a widely-held, longstanding belief that these were used by Israel. I’m wanting to better understand what information suggests that this is the case?

    I have looked at many reference books and everything that I can find online; and, everything attributes these to Israel without explaining the source of attribution. All of the period pictures I have seen, so far, showing SMLE rifles in Israeli service with bayonets are of the standard-length P1907.

    The following post includes a picture of the bayonet in a display at the IDF History Museum in Tel Aviv. Short SMLE bayonet? (milsurps.com) At that time, the museum collection’s displays included hundreds of firearms in sections attributed to many different countries. Unfortunately, the posted image doesn’t show enough detail to discern to what country the museum is attributing the bayonet (Britain, Israel, or ?). The museum is in the process of relocating, so the pictured display no longer exists and the entire collection is in storage.

    I sent a PM to the OP some time ago to see if he is still in contact with the photographer (ho may have more info or additional images), but he doesn’t seem to be very active at this point.

    One thing about these that seems uncharacteristic of Israeli bayonets is the lack of markings. Israeli bayonets are usually well-marked with obviously Israeli symbols.
    Similarly, discussion of where these bayonets were made centers on their either being made in Britain or Israel. Examining the bayonet suggests that the workmanship is probably too poor for Britishicon Government Factory production and probably too good for Israeli production of the late 1940s-early 1950s.

    Back then, Israeli-made weapons were pretty crude. It just seems doubtful that Israel would have gone to the trouble to produce tooling that so faithfully replicated the bayonet’s more complex features (e.g., wrap-around grip scales, square fullered clip point blade profile). If they made these from scratch that early, the end result likely would have been more quick & dirty like the Israeli Mauser bayonet.

    The complexity and workmanship suggest that, if used by Israel, these were more likely procured than produced. The Israeli Haganah was very active in surreptitiously procuring weapons all around the world.

    British contractors (e.g., Sterling) and India/Pakistan seem likely possibilities that should also be considered for manufacture of these bayonets. Sterling made No. 5 bayonets and the India/Pakistan factories made both P1907 and No. 5 bayonets.
    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.
    worldbayonets.com | Bayonet Collector's Network (BCN) | Society of American Bayonet Collectors | Life Member NRA
    Follow us on Facebook! facebook.com/worldbayonets

  2. # ADS
    Friends and Sponsors
    Join Date
    October 2006
    Location
    Milsurps.Com
    Posts
    All Threads
    A Collector's View - The SMLE Short Magazine Lee Enfield 1903-1989. It is 300 8.5x11 inch pages with 1,000+ photo’s, most in color, and each book is serial-numbered.  Covering the SMLE from 1903 to the end of production in India in 1989 it looks at how each model differs and manufacturer differences from a collecting point of view along with the major accessories that could be attached to the rifle. For the record this is not a moneymaker, I hope just to break even, eventually, at $80/book plus shipping.  In the USA shipping is $5.00 for media mail.  I will accept PayPal, Zelle, MO and good old checks (and cash if you want to stop by for a tour!).  CLICK BANNER to send me a PM for International pricing and shipping. Manufacturer of various vintage rifle scopes for the 1903 such as our M73G4 (reproduction of the Weaver 330C) and Malcolm 8X Gen II (Unertl reproduction). Several of our scopes are used in the CMP Vintage Sniper competition on top of 1903 rifles. Brian Dick ... BDL Ltd. - Specializing in British and Commonwealth weapons Specializing in premium ammunition and reloading components. Your source for the finest in High Power Competition Gear. Here at T-bones Shipwrighting we specialise in vintage service rifle: re-barrelling, bedding, repairs, modifications and accurizing. We also provide importation services for firearms, parts and weapons, for both private or commercial businesses.
     

  3. #2
    Contributing Member Aragorn243's Avatar
    Join Date
    Apr 2009
    Last On
    Today @ 08:31 AM
    Location
    Pennsylvania, United States
    Posts
    6,974
    Real Name
    Steve
    Local Date
    03-28-2024
    Local Time
    11:49 AM
    One site I found says they were Britishicon produced for Israel but never accepted by the British themselves. They had an unmarked example there.

  4. Avoid Ads - Become a Contributing Member - Click HERE
+ Reply to Thread

Similar Threads

  1. Short SMLE bayonet?
    By Charlie303 in forum Edged Weapons Forum
    Replies: 4
    Last Post: 12-04-2018, 01:28 PM
  2. And Finally ... My NZ SMLE with NZ issue bayonet..
    By mrclark303 in forum The Lee Enfield Knowledge Library Collectors Forum
    Replies: 2
    Last Post: 10-27-2016, 09:20 AM
  3. SMLE with 1907 Wilkinson bayonet
    By bigchunk1 in forum The Lee Enfield Knowledge Library Collectors Forum
    Replies: 0
    Last Post: 01-24-2015, 06:49 PM
  4. Unusual smle bayonet
    By 4004757 in forum The Lee Enfield Knowledge Library Collectors Forum
    Replies: 14
    Last Post: 10-16-2012, 09:59 AM
  5. Yatagan style sword-bayonet with a Quillon
    By PhayzR in forum Edged Weapons Forum
    Replies: 3
    Last Post: 06-22-2012, 04:30 AM

Tags for this Thread

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
Raven Rocks