These rare bayonets were made for use with the Sten MkV sub machine gun. Originally, they were also intended for use with the Lee Enfield No.4 rifle but were only issued with this rifle for parade purposes.
This bayonet was made by the Birmingham Small Arms factory (BSA) in 1945 and is one of only 25,000 made by BSA. The swivel socket bears BSA’s wartime dispersal code “M74 B.”
The No7 Mk 1 Land service bayonet was designed in 1944 and only 176,000 were produced. The design was perfected by the Wilkinson Sword Co., who produced 1,000 bayonets in 1944 and subsequent production was carried out by four others makers from 1945 until 1948.
The bayonet’s innovative design with its unique swiveling socket allowed it to be both bayonet and fighting knife with deep finger grooves in the hilt, which is made of resin-impregnated cloth called Paxolin.
The 207mm clip point blade has a deep single fuller on both sides and is in very good condition. The blade has been service sharpened. The ricasso is stamped with the designation “No.7 M. K. 1/L.” The obverse ricasso is stamped with a crowned inspection mark, War Department broad arrow and “M47.” The blued crosspiece also bears a broad arrow stamp.
The swivel pommel retains its original blued finish and bears the marks “M47 B” and the War Department broad arrow. The socket catch is also stamped with a broad arrow.
The paxolin grips are in excellent condition and the swivel and locking mechanisms work perfectly. The Mk1 steel scabbard (later models have a brass throat) is in excellent condition and retains its original finish. The bayonet is complete with its original 1937 pattern webbing frog.
