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Remembered Today:

New 1907 bayonet, question on a couple markings


Tinhat47

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I picked up a really nice model 1907 British bayonet at our local antique mall for $35 (about £23). It's a Wilkinson, January 1917 marked. I'll get some pictures up tonight. I did have a question about markings though. On the side of the tang between the wood grips are two markings (both are on the side without the ring) -- a "G" right up under the crossguard and further down a "W" with an asterisk just millimeters below it. I've seen that the asterisk may refer to rust or corrosion (the pommel had some very light surface rust that cleaned right off with WD-40), but I'm not sure if it's a standalone marking or part of the "W" mark.

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You often find 'random' letters stamped into the tang section of the pommel. I think they may have been added during production ... though I've never seen an asterisk.

Cheers, S>S

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I guess they must remain a mystery!

The markings are actually on the ring side. Here are pictures, for what it's worth.

156541_10152703974150082_306485871_n.jpg

156541_10152703974155082_834138995_n.jpg

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Thanks for adding the photos. I think these letters are a type of "in house" inspection mark added during manufacture. The asterisk is interesting.

Cheers, S>S

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If I am not mistaken the bottom mark may two broad arrows touching, meaning obsolete-sold out of service.

Tom.

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You may be correct, Tom!

Here's a closer look.

60597_10152704142560082_1653450500_n.jpg

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That would be a rather odd place for a 'sale and out-off-service' mark. And it does look more like an asterisk that anything else... From my own very limited knowledge of these things, though, tang marks are more usual on P.1888's and P.1903's. Give us a photo' of the ricasso marks and then lets extrapolate further!

Trajan

PS: Funny, really, but although Wilkinson produced the greatest number of P.1907 bayonets in the WWI period, all of mine were Sanderson's until last week, when I took delivery of a 02/15 dated example!

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Here are the ricasso marks -- pretty standard. The bend test mark is kinda off-center though. There's also an odd mark on the ring -- probably a gouge, but it's an interesting pattern.

563973_10152716505580082_216290341_n.jpg

73150_10152716505380082_1082502512_n.jpg

540107_10152716505320082_1872473480_n.jpg

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Looks in nice "well-used" condition - I like it. :thumbsup: Also has good clear markings (relatively speaking) typical mid-war period.

It is a Wilkinson Pall Mall variety being made at their Pall Mall division, with these being a little scarcer and more sought after.

The 'marking' on the muzzle ring looks to me like some fairly standard rust-pitting. Maybe that helps explain the added asterisk.? :huh:

Cheers, S>S

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