MKII sword bayonet

[Tigerlily]

As if I wasn't dangerous enough, picked up this little beauty this morning, dated February 1897, it's a bit gorgeous. Just got to nab a Lee Metford now

Alli

[Roy]

Hi Alli,

Well done - a nice find.

As you know my rifles are on a Metford action, a great rifle. My friend in California just picked up a rare MkI metford for restoration. The MkII's can be found but a little scarce. I have another friend who has a couple of cracking example. Good ones are few and far between.

Well done old girl....

Cheers, Roy.

[Tigerlily]

Thanks Roy, that sounds like a great restoration project, you do know I lurk around your website on a fairly regular basis?

I'd love to get hold of one of those rifles, we'll see.

Oi and bloody less of the old thank you

[Roy]

Yikes... don't tell my wife...

[Tigerlily]

Originally Posted by Roy

Yikes... don't tell my wife...

Sorry, admiring your hardware love

[Peter Brydon]

Alli,

One of my favourite bayonets as well.

The brown frog in the pictures is marked to the 2nd Volunteer Battalion, Kings Liverpool`s.

Peter

[Tigerlily]

Fantastic find Peter, and looks great with your display.

Not entirely sure what the going rate is on them but I think I did ok, was also playing with a SMLE bayonet but this one was nicer.

Lovely pictures Peter thank you.

Alli

[Roy]

Well done Peter, very nice indeed.

These Lee Metford bayonets have always been one of my favorites too.

Something that you may not know is that during WWII a number of these were officially shortened and converted to fighting knives. They seem to have found their way to the SAS in North Africa as there is a couple of photographs showing SAS members wearing them.

I have owned a couple over the years. Here is a picture of an example with correct modified scabbard. The bone insert in the pommel it not official.

Cheers, Roy.

[Tigerlily]

Nice Roy, interesting that the SAS were using them as fighting knives, point me in the direction of a photo?
Just been looking at a few more, are they like buttons and one isn't enough?
Ages ago I was looking at Siamese Wild Tiger Corps bayonets, got distracted though

[Roy]

Hi Alli,

I can't seem to find any copies right now of original photos. I do recall seeing a two or three though. There was also conversions of the 1903 pattern of bayonet, along with photographic evidence of them being carried.

I did find another (really nice) example I once owned. This appears to be of higher quality than normally found, so not sure if it was an official conversion or private, a cracking knife as I recall. Pics attached.

Cheers, Roy.

[Tigerlily]

Oooh yeah that's a beauty.
When you get one that's in a bit of a bad way, do you clean them up? or just a wipe of oil?

I have a few swords so keep them lightly oiled, might put a little on the bayonet as it's sticking in the sheath, I do that with my Finnish skinning knife, and it keeps it ok, though in truth that knife could do with a bit of tlc as well.

[Roy]

Hi Alli,

On don't use an oil on edged weapons, as it does not work well on other materials that are associated and may come into contact, i.e. leather, ivory, wood, etc, etc.

The best stuff I have found is Renaissance wax. This was developed by the British museum and is inert and can be used on anything. It leaves a very thin film, is not corrosive and will assist in preservation.

As a general rule also, edged weapons should not be kept in their sheaths, as the sheath retains moister and given enough time can impact the metal blade.

Fortunately I no longer have moisture/damp issues here in Arizona..

Cheers, Roy.

[Tigerlily]

Show off!

OK I'll look out for some. Suits me leaving it out of the sheath as its only a matter of time before I do myself an injury trying to unsheath it it sticks horribly.

Thanks for your help.

[Roy]

Hi Alli,

Yes they can be a bit tight. I have had a few knives where the knife no longer fits all the way into the leather sheath due to shrinkage. I guess it's all about the conditions these are kept in.

When I lived in the UK and used Renaissance Wax, I would still check the knives every six months or so and re-do when needed.

Don't forget the wax can also be applied to the leather and any other part too. One of the reasons I like it, as it can go on anything.

Back to the 1888 pattern bayonet - one of the interesting details is all the unit marks that can often be found. This can be a study in it's own right. And a headache too..

Roy.

[Tigerlily]

I'll bear that in mind. Thank you.

There are a couple of numbers stamped on it and scratched on the handle I haven't sussed yet. I'll have another look tomorrow and see what I can find out. I love it though. Can't stop fiddling with it. If you'll pardon the expression