1907 Bayonet

[GRAZ]

Hi All

I recently picked up a hook conversion bayonet marked up to 1 W K, which I believe is the Warwickshire Regiment. I'm a bit confused by the blade markings I can find re-issue markings for 1923, 1924 and possibly 1928.There is a faint 8 on the blade but this can't be 1908 as the blade is marked with the Gerorge 5th emblem. Can anybody decipher them for me.

Any info would be much appreciated.

Cheers

Graham

[JMB1943]

GRAZ,

 

Your second photo is the easier of the two on which to comment.

The uppermost stamp (broad arrow) is the sign of acceptance into British service, and ownership by the Govt.

The large X at the bottom shows which was the convex side of the blade for passing the bend test.

Crown / 2V / E  and crown / 52 / E are two of the three inspection stamps that are applied during process of the manufacture; the third stamp is possibly also Crown / 2V /E; here the E refers to an inspector based at Royal Small Arms Factory, Enfield.

 

The first photo, because of the faint stampings, is harder to interpret.

In general, the name of the maker is closest to the cross-guard, and above that there is the date e.g. 5 ‘18 (May 1918) of manufacture and the pattern year (1907).

Any and each subsequent re-inspection (‘23, ‘24, ‘25) is also accompanied by an inspection stamp , Crown /    /    of the type described above.

They account for the additional stamps that are present.

The crown / 2V / E stamp indicates from my records that the manufacturer is probably SANDERSON.

EDIT: you describe this as a "hook conversion bayonet" which implies that it has had the HQ removed. However, post-1913 the P.'07 was made without the HQ; I think that yours was made in 1918.

 

Regards, 

JMB

Edited 28 July , 2020 by JMB1943
typo

[GRAZ]

Hi JMB

Thanks for the input. After closer inspection you're right it is a Sanderson bayonet. I was originally told it was a hook conversion, and on checking a photo posted by a fellow member of the difference between a hooked quillon and a post 1913 made quillon,mine was the pointed type rather than the flatter  post 1913 type.

Your guess that it's a 1918 would make sense as there is a poorly stamped 8 on the blade. It couldn't be 1908 as it's a George 5th stamped blade, so a weakly stamped 18 would be more likely.

Would it be usual to put the Regiment on a bayonet of 1918 vintage, or are the marking likely to be later, I think I read somewhere that bayonets were Regimentally marked in the 1930's and since it's got a 1937 type frog would suggest WW2 use

Cheers

Graham

[JMB1943]

4 hours ago, GRAZ said:

 

Would it be usual to put the Regiment on a bayonet of 1918 vintage, or are the marking likely to be later, I think I read somewhere that bayonets were Regimentally marked in the 1930's and since it's got a 1937 type frog would suggest WW2 use

Cheers

Graham

Graham,

 

The application of Regimental markings on Bayonets (and the stock disc on rifles) was suspended during the GW period for at least a couple of reasons.

1) Fear of providing intelligence to the Germans, and

2) the armourers had better things to do.

 

Like you, I have also read that the practice was resumed in the 1920’s or 1930’s.

 

Regards,

JMB

[GRAZ]

Thanks for the info JMB, it's much appreciated

 

Cheers

Graham