This British Pattern 1913 Mk 1 sword bayonet for the Pattern 1914 rifle is in near mint condition. The P1913 bayonet was officially introduced into British service on the 21st June 1916. The P13 bayonet was made under contract in the USA by Remington and Winchester.
The production date of this bayonet is May 1916, making it one of the very first made. By the end of WW1, Winchester had produced 225,000 of these P13 bayonets. Remington by comparison produced 1,243,000.
The excellent 433mm blade has a deep single fuller on both sides and a rounded spine. The blade has its anti-reflective matt grey finish and its factory edge with no additional attempts at sharpening.
The blued ricasso is stamped with the pattern date of 1913, the production date of ‘5 ’16 (May, 1916) and the Winchester maker’s mark, a capital W. The obverse ricasso bears two inspection stamps, a bend test X and the War Department arrow.
The cross guard and pommel retain their original blueing and the wooden hilt scales are in excellent condition with a great patina. The left-hand scale is stamped with the number 468. The press-stud locking mechanism works perfectly.
The bayonet is complete with its original brown leather scabbard with teardrop frog stud. The scabbard is in excellent condition. The locket and chape retain their original finish with minor wear. The leather is firm and undamaged with its original finish and the stitching is intact and strong.
The leather is stamped with a Broad Arrow, inspection stamp and the date stamp for 1915
This P1913 bayonet is in fantastic condition. The early, pre-official adoption production date, maker and near mint condition make it a rare example of a scarce Winchester made Great War bayonet.
