Iconic British WW1 Pattern 1907 Lee-Enfield rifle bayonet made during WW1 by the Wilkinson Sword Company, London.
The 435mm single-edged blade has a long narrow fuller and rounded spine. The edge was factory service sharpened. The blade is in excellent condition and retains its original sandblasted matt finish. The sandblasting of blades was a wartime directive. From February 1915, for the duration of WW1, all P1907 blades were to be sandblasted instead of polished.
The ricasso retains its original blueing and is marked with George V crowned royal cypher over the pattern date 1907. A poorly struck date of manufacture is stamped above the makers’ name - Wilkinson.
The obverse ricasso bears a bend test stamp, War Department arrow and two Enfield inspection and acceptance stamps.
The crosspiece, muzzle ring and pommel retain their original blued finish and are in good condition. The press-stud catch is in perfect working order. The pommel has a clearing hole that indicates the bayonet was made in or after 1916. The sandblasted blade and clearing hole help date the bayonet to between 1916 and 1919. The grip scales are in good condition and are both bear crowned Enfield inspection stamps. Both scales have three laterally incised lines in the middle – why, is anyone’s guess.
The bayonet is complete with its 1916 dated leather scabbard with a teardrop frog stud. The scabbard is in excellent condition. The steel locket and chape retain their original blueing. The leather of the scabbard is stamped with a Broad Arrow, crowned Enfield inspection mark and the date 1916. The opposite side of the seam is stamped H.G.R. ‘16. This is the makers mark for Hepburn, Gale & Ross. The stitching is intact and strong and the bayonet sheathes smoothly and is held firmly within the scabbard.
This is an excellent example of the iconic British World War One Enfield rifle bayonet, made by the Wilkinson Sword Company.
