navydoc16 Posted 22 April Share Posted 22 April (edited) Dear all, what am I looking at here, I can’t seem tl find a decent reference. Is it simply an Austrian bayonet that happens to fit a SMLE or is it a modified bayonet for a captured SMLE from WW1 ect. the original caption just stated “Austrian for lee Enfield” in the thread on Milsurps “a brief history of lee Enfield bayonets” which was maybe a little too brief, as I have no idea what he was referring to. im racking my brain and to no avail- I know Austrian police had some Lee Enfields post the second war- but I can’t really believe they would have bothered with a conversion. it’s looking more to me like a WW1 type of usage. original image is from Old Smithy - so I can no longer contact the original owner for obvious reasons. kind regards g Edited 22 April by navydoc16 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JMB1943 Posted 22 April Share Posted 22 April Navydoc, Clearly not a cut-down Patt. 1907; the fuller ends before the blade tip / the pommel is not quite the correct shape / a very narrow band of blueing at the ricasso. The clearance hole in the grips at the crossguard indicates that this is probably a German bayonet. Regards, JMB Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
4thGordons Posted 22 April Share Posted 22 April (edited) As you say : Austria (specifically their gendarmerie) were supplied with SMLE No1 rifles in the immediate post World War 2 period (I have an example so stamped and they are reasonably well known) I wonder if the bayonet might date from that period? Edited 22 April by 4thGordons Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AndyBsk Posted 22 April Share Posted 22 April Its certainly postwar made bayonet, the Oest.Gendarmerie was only armed branch prior 1955 , as the Austria was divided similar way as Germany by 4 powers. The most real is the S84/98 bayonets were refurbished for using on British rifles, this was done only in english sector probably. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DisasterDog Posted 22 April Share Posted 22 April Great, another example I need to look for. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve1871 Posted 22 April Share Posted 22 April Good Luck DiasterDog, might have the same chance as finding the last unicorn, the way my luck goes🥴 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
M1890 ottoman Posted 22 April Share Posted 22 April The first thing that comes to mind is that it seems like an earlier "Israeli" reissue k98 from the late 40s. What I remember is that the majority of them had bakelite grips. So it might have been an conversation due to lack of efficient amount of Smle bayonets. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AndyBsk Posted 23 April Share Posted 23 April As You could see the lenght of handle was shortened, that is the difference to Israeli Mk1, as that was a normal Gew98 locking lenght, locking lenght of P1907 is shorter, so the handle was probably cut and rewelded or a new pommel was here added. note the position on rear screw to pommel. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
navydoc16 Posted 23 April Author Share Posted 23 April 18 hours ago, 4thGordons said: As you say : Austria (specifically their gendarmerie) were supplied with SMLE No1 rifles in the immediate post World War 2 period (I have an example so stamped and they are reasonably well known) I wonder if the bayonet might date from that period? I mean it would kind of make sense, there doesn’t seem to be any markings on the blade? So I’m maybe spitballing that it is fresh made production. im hoping it is earlier l- for the sake of keeping this post alive but also it’s not quite my area of expertise kind regards g Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
navydoc16 Posted 23 April Author Share Posted 23 April 16 hours ago, AndyBsk said: Its certainly postwar made bayonet, the Oest.Gendarmerie was only armed branch prior 1955 , as the Austria was divided similar way as Germany by 4 powers. The most real is the S84/98 bayonets were refurbished for using on British rifles, this was done only in english sector probably. Thanks mate much appreciated- I can’t work out why they would have bothered though- If they wanted short bayonets you can make an Indian Mk1 with a hacksaw and bench grinder. For such a small unit I can’t believe it would have been worth while. But stranger things have happened kind regards g 16 hours ago, DisasterDog said: Great, another example I need to look for. Sorry mate me too hahaha Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AndyBsk Posted 23 April Share Posted 23 April There is nothing strange as Ferlach firm last production of S84/98 were kipped into sea before they would got it russian or other country capturers. I assume there was blanko production destined for german NS period police, which remained in storages of police and were reworked postwar for Enfield type rifles. That type is calling Behoerden modell, and is mostly wout any proof or maker marks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rafal1971 Posted 23 April Share Posted 23 April Not only Austria ... M 1891 adapted for SMLE (photo from Internet) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
navydoc16 Posted 23 April Author Share Posted 23 April 1 minute ago, Rafal1971 said: Not only Austria ... M 1891 adapted for SMLE (photo from Internet) Yeah that is the fairly well known but uncommon Italian navy conversion. kind regards g Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
navydoc16 Posted 23 April Author Share Posted 23 April 2 hours ago, AndyBsk said: There is nothing strange as Ferlach firm last production of S84/98 were kipped into sea before they would got it russian or other country capturers. I assume there was blanko production destined for german NS period police, which remained in storages of police and were reworked postwar for Enfield type rifles. That type is calling Behoerden modell, and is mostly wout any proof or maker marks. Thanks mate I’ll look it up and do some research, I have gone cap in hand (and cash) to attempt to attain one from my regular dealers. see what happens if we can get one to photograph kind regards g Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AndyBsk Posted 24 April Share Posted 24 April Here a comparation from french member Gerard A. from 2006 BCN forum. In 2019 i got some info that they went to Afghanistan post service in Austria, question its right as the condition of bayonets is very nice, with contrary of using by war countries like Afghanistan was in last 5 decades. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
navydoc16 Posted 24 April Author Share Posted 24 April (edited) Yes I found one an initially listed as an Austrian commercial contract for Afghanistan for the Lee Enfield SMLE. The condition is odd too but also just the general idea I find strange - but stranger things have happened so it can’t be dismissed until proven otherwise. Did the member from BCM do anything more with the bayonet? Discuss if it had been sectioned or anything else? I have a K98 Behoerden here to compare it too. kind regards g Edited 24 April by navydoc16 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
navydoc16 Posted 24 April Author Share Posted 24 April On 23/04/2024 at 07:53, Steve1871 said: Good Luck DiasterDog, might have the same chance as finding the last unicorn, the way my luck goes🥴 May have acquired one yesterday, have to see when it turns up kind regards g Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
navydoc16 Posted 24 April Author Share Posted 24 April Found this little one online, unfortunately it’s not with bayonets mounted kind regards g Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AndyBsk Posted 25 April Share Posted 25 April There was not any details, as this is already 20 years ago, i could store only the picture. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
navydoc16 Posted 25 April Author Share Posted 25 April 8 minutes ago, AndyBsk said: There was not any details, as this is already 20 years ago, i could store only the picture. ******, that’s all good- sorry I missed the 2006 bit. I will post some pictures when mine gets here. Need to get to the bottom of this haha kind regards g Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Admin GWF TEAM Posted 25 April Admin Share Posted 25 April Outside of the period for the Great War period. Suggest you continue this lively discussion by personal message as this is now locked Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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