No9 bayonet M/49

[telperion]

Thank you!

We should keep an eye on this!

Greetings

T

[Melanie_Daniels]

Here is one of the Poole made bayonets:

With this the question is easy to answer:
M = Maltby
49 = year of production

[Flying10uk]

If we all accepted that the "M 49" was a "Dispersal Code", for a moment, then one would expect the Poole made example to also have a "Dispersal Code". If we all continue to accept that the markings are all "Dispersal Codes" for a moment longer, is it not a huge coincidence that the numeric part of all of the alleged "Dispersal Codes" match exactly when the No9 bayonet was in production?

[Aragorn243]

Not a coincidence at all. The codes were assigned, and the numbers provided by the website fit in the missing known list perfectly.

[Flying10uk]

Not a coincidence at all. The codes were assigned,

I would beg to differ. I am fully aware of how the dispersal code system operated and how the codes were assigned which, incidentally, was introduced during WW2 and intended to disguise the maker and help protect the factory from bombing.

The source of the (possible) "dispersal code" on No9 bayonets originally only came from one person, Mr Graham Priest, and so I thought that I would ask him what he thought on the matter, after making him aware of this thread. This is what Graham said which he kindly gave me permission to reproduce here and I quote:

"As you know I am the source of the 'dispersal code' ID on No.9s. Pre 2003 I could find the No.9 drawings from Enfield, descriptions from Poole (plus markings) but nothing on bayonet making at Maltby. Not having access to many rifles I had not associated the 'M' with them. Nothing has turned up, especially as many museums were closed. (I have not been to the Weapons Collection for two years!) If I am incorrect I will have to eat humble pie as numerous collectors are chasing the variants."

[Aragorn243]

You can differ all you want but odds are they are manufacturers codes as they fit right in line with known examples, and another has actually identified them as such. What's the point of this continued argument at this point? They aren't produced by Maltby, they aren't year of manufacture. Poole did things their own way and assuming others are going to follow Poole's lead rather than traditional British marking systems is a stretch. Priest is the foremost expert on British Socket bayonets and he states, he has no knowledge of bayonet making at Maltby and the M is not associated with them. The M is associated with a dozen dispersal codes.

[Peter Laidler]

I only ever disagree with Aragorn after a great deal of thought and consideration. So I have put my steel helmet tightly on........

The distinctive style of the letter M, with its extended middle leg is the distinct mark of MALTBY in much the same way as joined letters RTL are Theale, DE is Enfield and F or FY is Fazakerley.

And the year letters are undisputedly just that..

Boxes of these new, still wrapped in the green sided and sometimes sealed in tight fitting green rubbery bags and grease-proof paper x10 bear the assorted Ministry of Supply codes and B1 ordnance type numbers. The hieroglyphics that formed part of the labels also shows the packing code plus the "not to be opened until required for use' and the ROF code - Maltby Incidentally, M49 is misspelled. It is actually FRANCIS BARNET,T also known to all 50's young motor cyclists as 'Franny-Barnett', the motor cycle makers from Dudley. And to be really honest, Franny Barnett, while good little motor bike makers (and well collected by collectors today) are not known for making bayonets.........

It is inconceivable that they'd make them elsewhere and send them to ROF21 - Maltby (? correct me if the number is wrong) to be wrapped and packed
They were keen to keep the rifle factory at Maltby open and some rifles were FTR'd there.

There's a pi showing one with M49 and 50...... It's a year change stamping surely? No one would make some, stamp them and then send them over to a competitor to mark up.

Nope, the distinct extended middle leg in the M is the MALTBY logo seen on every rifle.

[Flying10uk]

You can differ all you want but odds are they are manufacturers codes as they fit right in line with known examples, and another has actually identified them as such. What's the point of this continued argument at this point? They aren't produced by Maltby, they aren't year of manufacture. Poole did things their own way and assuming others are going to follow Poole's lead rather than traditional British marking systems is a stretch. Priest is the foremost expert on British Socket bayonets and he states, he has no knowledge of bayonet making at Maltby and the M is not associated with them. The M is associated with a dozen dispersal codes.

You are entitled to your opinion and views of which I don't share. I do have a list of more than 200 "M" dispersal codes as well as lists the other 2 codes and I am quite capable of working things out for myself.

---------- Post added at 08:08 PM ---------- Previous post was at 08:04 PM ----------

I only ever disagree with Aragorn after a great deal of thought and consideration. So I have put my steel helmet tightly on........

The distinctive style of the letter M, with its extended middle leg is the distinct mark of MALTBY in much the same way as joined letters RTL are Theale, DE is Enfield and F or FY is Fazakerley.

And the year letters are undisputedly just that..

Boxes of these new, still wrapped in the green sided and sometimes sealed in tight fitting green rubbery bags and grease-proof paper x10 bear the assorted Ministry of Supply codes and B1 ordnance type numbers. The hieroglyphics that formed part of the labels also shows the packing code plus the "not to be opened until required for use' and the ROF code - Maltby Incidentally, M49 is misspelled. It is actually FRANCIS BARNET,T also known to all 50's young motor cyclists as 'Franny-Barnett', the motor cycle makers from Dudley. And to be really honest, Franny Barnett, while good little motor bike makers (and well collected by collectors today) are not known for making bayonets.........

It is inconceivable that they'd make them elsewhere and send them to ROF21 - Maltby (? correct me if the number is wrong) to be wrapped and packed
They were keen to keep the rifle factory at Maltby open and some rifles were FTR'd there.

There's a pi showing one with M49 and 50...... It's a year change stamping surely? No one would make some, stamp them and then send them over to a competitor to mark up.

Nope, the distinct extended middle leg in the M is the MALTBY logo seen on every rifle.

Thank-you for your contribution, Peter, and it is good to see/have you back here.

[telperion]

Thank you, Gentlemen, for you insight! I think we can begin to re-write this chapter of the No9 history now!

many greetings!

T

[Peter Laidler]

Might I politely suggest that before you or anyone starts to re-write the No9 story that that they take into account a saying that I learned many years ago. If it LOOKS like a duck and WALKS like a duck and QUACKS like a duck, then guess what....... it IS a duck. Same as the stylised letter M and the factory ROF code on the wrapping. But as I always say, and my wife tells me often enough, I could be wrong