Rare blackened blade variant No.5 Mk1 bayonet for the No.5 Mk 1 Lee Enfield rifle.
The No.5 rifle had a shorter barrel and was lighter in weight, purposely made for airborne troops in the European theatre of World War II. Despite its initial purpose, the No.5 carbine saw most of its service in post war colonial conflicts such as the Malayan Emergency, earning it the nickname “Jungle Carbine.”
Production of the No.5 bayonet began in March 1944, and finished in December 1947. Four companies were initially contracted to produce the No.5 bayonet.
Wilkinson Sword Company, London made 188,354; Viners Ltd., Sheffield produced 42,000; Radcliffe made 75,000 and Elkington & Co. Ltd., Birmingham produced 10,768. An unknown, but small number were produced post WWII by the Royal Ordnance Factory in Poole, Dorset.
This bayonet is one of the Poole made No.5’s, made in 1947.
The 203mm clip-point Bowie blade has a single edge and long single fuller below the rounded spine. The blade is in very good condition and retains its blackened finish and factory edge. The blackened finish has some minor scabbard wear. The ricasso is stamped with the Poole factory mark, a P within a circle and the date 1947.
The wrap around wooden grip scales are in good condition and are held tightly in place by two screws. The front of the mortice slot bears a Broad Arrow stamp over F5 and the letter B. The end of the beaked pommel bears a Broad Arrow beside G2.
The bayonet is complete with its original, early issue Mk 1 scabbard. Mk II scabbards had a small rim to the throats and were more rounded at the bottom. The scabbard retains its original black finish.
This is a clean and honest example of a rare black bladed variant Jungle Carbine bayonet.
