Rare No.5 Mk1, Type II bayonet for the No.5 Mk 1 Lee Enfield.
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 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 rarer Radcliffe made No.5’s, made in 1944.
The 203mm clip-point Bowie blade has a single edge and long single fuller below the rounded spine. The blade is in excellent condition and retains its original finish and factory edge. The blade has a matt (sand blasted) finish with minimal scabbard wear.
The ricasso retains most of its original blackening and is stamped with the wartime dispersal code N187, denoting the Radcliffe factory. The obverse ricasso bears a partially struck bend test X.
The wrap around wooden grips are in excellent condition and are held tightly in place by two screws. The steel pommel bears three letter stamps, a Y, E & L. The press stud is in good working order.
The bayonet is complete with its original, Mk1 scabbard. The scabbard retains its original black finish.
This is an excellent, unissued and near mint example of a scarce No.5 bayonet by Radcliffe, one of the rarer makers.
