British Pattern 1907 bayonet by Sanderson dated 1917 with WW2 South African issue markings.
£225
British Pattern 1907 bayonet by Sanderson dated 1917 with WW2 South African issue markings in 1941 WW2 issue scabbard with SA leather frog. Hilt with release button to the left side of the pommel next to a Broad Arrow U South African issue mark is fitted with 07 pattern wooden bolt retained grip scales, the pommel with clearance hole to the front. Fullered blade struck to the left side with Crowned GR over 1907 12 ‘17 and SANDERSON for manufacture in December 1917. The right side stamped with a Broad Arrow above a large X bending test mark and a 1921 factory inspection stamp indicating continuing service after the Great war next to various ordnance inspection and ownership marks. In its WW2 dated (1941) broad arrow ordnance marked steel mounted black leather scabbard with remains of desert campaign kaki / yellow camo paint beneath the frog, fitted with its correct South African pattern leather frog. Adopted in 1907 to fit the SMLE rifle the ‘07 was longer than the previous 1903 bayonet it replaced and was designed to replicate the reach of the old 1888 bayonet when fitted to the long lee rifles in combat. This it achieved but at the cost of inferior performance as a fighting knife, the blade being too long for really effective use as a knife. In good condition with good blade and working catch in a nice scabbard with all intact stitching. A nice example of the classic WW1 bayonet made for service in the Great War and which went on to see service in WW2 with South African forces in the Desert Campaigns and beyond.
