The Martini Henry Pattern 1876 socket bayonet, officially named the “Bayonet Common Long” was nicknamed the "Lunger" by the troops. The blade is triangular with blunt edges and was purely a stabbing weapon.
The 545mm tri-form blade is in good condition with small areas of tarnish and shallow pitting along the edges. The base of the blade is stamped with a worn War Department “WD” stamp, Broad Arrow and Enfield inspection stamp. There are two issue numbers, one being 738 and the second, cancelled number possibly being 563, matching that on the frog stud of the scabbard. The production date of the bayonet has also been cancelled but looks to have been 1888 or 1883. The capital R stamp indicates that the bayonet was refurbished at some point. The left side of the blade bears a Birmingham repair/reissue stamp.
The socket is in good condition with some shallow pitting and its original blueing remaining. The mortise ring on the socket works perfectly.
The second pattern, brass mounted black leather scabbard is in good condition. The brass locket with integral frog stud is marked with an Enfield inspection stamp, WD and arrow. The teardrop frog stud is stamped with the War Department arrow (later converted to a sold out of service mark) and the issue number 563. The brass chape is also marked with a WD and arrow. The leather is in good condition for its age and the stitching is intact. The bayonet sheathes and draws smoothly and is held firmly within the scabbard.
This is a better than average example of the iconic Anglo-Zulu War Martini Henry bayonet.
