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#1
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Lee Metford 1889 MK1 Bayonet
IMG_9424.JPG
IMG_9418.JPG IMG_9420.JPG IMG_9415.JPG IMG_9411.JPG I hope you can help me I have the above bayonet and I am interested in finding out about the marks on it. It does not have a scabbard I am sad to say. It seems in remarkably good condition not having any nicks or dings on it even where it attached to the rifle. It would appear unused I have attached some pictures for you to have a look at. Cheers John |
#2
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Hi John, welcome to the Forum. Your account is now active and open for posts.
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Res ipsa loquitur |
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John,
It is the rare 3 rivet version as you say, but has certainly been issued and used. The damage to the grips and the patina of the metal support that. Your photos are quite small but I will try. The first photo is the Issue date. Looks like 8/ 80 which would be August 1880 The second is the Regiment to which it was issued. Looks Like 2 KOM. That would be the 2nd Bn of Kings Own-----? Not sure on that one. Other marks indicate the serial number of the bayonet or rifle. This bayonet will have been isseud, re-issued and re-issued throughout its lifetime, many being re-issued into WW1 for Reserve Forces. The crossed out marks I cannot read. The last one on the blade is the War Department acceptance mark WD, and the Enfield Factory Inspectors mark. hope that helps. regards
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Simon Butterworth Manchester Regiment Collector Rank, Prize & Trade Badges British & Commonwealth Artillery Badges |
#4
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I think Simon is right about "2 KOM" ( being 2nd Battalion Kings Own ????) but there is no KOM abbreviation listed in "Marking of Arms 1912 ", so could it be a Commonwealth unit ?
P.B,
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Interested in all aspects of militaria/military history but especially insignia and history of non regular units with a Liverpool connection Members welcome in my private Facebook group “The Kings Liverpool Regiment ( 1685-1958 )” |
#5
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Quote:
The date is 8/89 The cross marks have C on either side what would the reissue marks look like because I have just seem a couple of very faint marks one of which looks like 4C The Number under the 2 Kom is 480 The blade has not been sharpened on the edges. I hope this helps with any further info you might be able to give Regards John |
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I have a very similar bayonet which bears the date marking for January 1900.
My bayonet is stamped with the initials CG, which at first I thought to stand for 'Coldstream Guards' until further research into the markings on the bayonet lead to the realisation the CG stood for 'Cape Government' In view of the above may I suggest the KOM marking on the bayonet might possibly refer to a South African Kommando. Edited to add: To the best of my knowledge the Boer Kommando's were named after places and I have some trouble trying to reconcile '2KOM' with that, also an official form of marking on a Kommando bayonet is not convincing, so my suggestion is simply thrown into the ring as a possibility. I hope somebody can make a positive identification. Regards, John
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Keep the flame lily burning Last edited by johnG; 15-12-16 at 09:10 AM. |
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Would The King's Own Malta Regiment be a possible contender for the initials 'KOM'? Only problem is I don't know whether they were a two battalion regiment or not.
Roger |
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Quote:
John
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Keep the flame lily burning Last edited by johnG; 15-12-16 at 10:33 AM. |
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Quote:
Roger |
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Roger, the more I think about this the more I think you could be on to something. From memory I do believe Malta sent men to South Africa during the Boer War, so now for some Googling to try to pin that down.
Malta would most certainly be a better alternative to my original suggestion of the bayonet having a Kommando connection - somehow I cannot visualise the farmers in a bayonet charge, although I am sure they would have been very efficient at it, or even a Lee Metford finding favour over a Mauser or a beloved Springfield. Regards, John
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Keep the flame lily burning Last edited by johnG; 15-12-16 at 11:03 AM. |
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Hi Gents,
In regards the possible Malta connection and looking through my references - the only mark I can see even close to KOM is K.O. MTA. which is for The King's Own Malta Regiment of Militia. Further; the letter 'M' (denoting Militia) was I understand used in conjunction with and where a number was present (in this case '2'). So with all that in mind then it seams reasonable that '2 K O M' would fit the 2nd King's Own (Malta) Militia theory. Now that's just commenting on the mark itself, so I will leave those more knowledgable to comment on whether such a unit existed at the appropriate time. Cheerio, Roy P.s. I am on the lookout for a splendid example of the so-called volunteer/commercial version of this bayonet (i.e. no military markings), if anyone has one in their collection they want to part with?
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Collecting: Despatch Rider Insignia & Photographs. Author/Dealer in the Fairbairn Sykes Fighting Knife My website: www.fsknife.com Last edited by Roy; 15-12-16 at 03:49 PM. |
#12
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Hello everyone,
Even without a scabbard, it's a very nice bayonet. They are not found in the north of France or with only 2 rivets .... A picture of the entire weapon would be welcome. Jean Paul A french collector... |
#13
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So there we have it Roger, I reckon Roy has nailed it, and Malta it is.
Regards, John
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Keep the flame lily burning |
#14
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Je n'ai que celle là....
I only have this one Good evening |
#15
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I also think these are well designed items, pictures of my examples attached.
PB
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Interested in all aspects of militaria/military history but especially insignia and history of non regular units with a Liverpool connection Members welcome in my private Facebook group “The Kings Liverpool Regiment ( 1685-1958 )” |
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