This private purchase Volunteer Pattern 1888 Lee-Metford bayonet was the property of Private Frederick Bradford of "F" Coy. 2nd Bn. the Queen’s Own Royal West Kent Regiment. Frederick Bradford was killed in action in Iraq on the 2nd November 1918, at the age of 33. Just 9 days before the end of WW1.
The bayonet in its scarce Mk III naval pattern scabbard is accompanied by PTE Bradford’s WW1 service medal (lacking ribbon), the 1914-15 Star.
This scarce bayonet is in very good condition and is highly collectable. The 303mm double-edged blade is un-marked, as was the case with most private purchase P1888 bayonets. The blade is bright and retains its original polish with very pale speckles of tarnish mainly on the ricasso.
The wooden grip is firm and in excellent condition with two large brass and iron rivets positioned close together. The steel crosspiece and pommel are bright and free from rust. The press-stud locking mechanism is in good working order.
The bayonet is complete with its scarce 1903 naval Mk III pattern scabbard with an integral frog and internal chape. The leather is in good condition with some slight age related cracking to the top of the belt loop and the stitching is intact and tight.
The bayonet sheathes and draws smoothly and is held firmly within the scabbard.
This is an excellent example of an iconic British bayonet with family provenance and a poignant World War One history.
