1907 SMLE ‘Parade Bayonet’ by Wilkinson’s dated 1915 in its regulation pattern ’07 steel mounted black leather scabbard.
£165
A plated 1907 SMLE ‘Parade Bayonet’ by Wilkinson’s dated 1915 in its regulation pattern ’07 steel mounted black leather scabbard. Plated and polished hilt with bolt retained walnut grip scales has release button to the left side with EFD stamp to the underside of the tang indicating the plating was officially applied at the Enfield Lock factory after the war. Chip missing from the front of the left grip scale next to the retaining bolt. Fully plated fullered single edged blade is struck to the right side with an Ordnance Broad Arrow ownership mark above an X bending test mark and various inspection stamps including a 1918 armourers inspection mark. The left side struck with a Crowned GR partly filled by the plating over 1907 10 ’15 for manufacture in October 1915, over WILKINSON. In its regulation issue steel mounted black leather scabbard with Broad Arrow mark to the rear. Made from issue bayonets, often older examples, parade bayonets were plated and polished to be worn by troops either in large military displays or national events such as royal weddings or while on guard duty in dress uniform. This WW1 bayonet was plated presumably between the wars at Enfield for use in ceremonial duties. In good condition with good well marked blade with some loss of plating to the cutting edge, working catch in a nice regulation pattern scabbard with all intact stitching. An interesting British Issue parade ’07 bayonet for the SMLE rifle that started life in the trenches of the Great War.
