Rare British WW1 Pattern 1907 bayonet made in August 1917 by Vickers ltd. Vickers only produced 10,000 1907 pattern bayonets.
The 433mm single-edged blade has a long narrow fuller and rounded spine that terminates in an upper edge. The grinding of an upper edge was intended to improve the bayonets’ penetration. Trials were conducted but as far as I am aware, this was not officially adopted by the British army. Both Australia and India did for a while, adopt the upper edge on their P1907 bayonets.
The blade retains its factory sharpened edge and is in very good condition. The ricasso retains its original blueing and is marked with George V crowned royal cypher over the pattern date 1907 and the date of manufacture 8 ’17 below which is stamped the Vickers logo and the Vickers name. An Enfield inspection mark is also stamped into the ricasso. This is likely to be associated with the grinding of the upper edge.
The obverse ricasso bears a bend test stamp, War Department arrow and three Enfield inspection and acceptance stamps.
The crosspiece, muzzle ring and pommel retain their original blued finish and are in very good condition. The press-stud catch is in perfect working order. The grip scales are in good condition with minor staining and use-related marks.
The bayonet is complete with its black (post 1915) leather scabbard with a teardrop frog stud. The scabbard was made by Hepburn, Gale & Ross Ltd and is dated 1917.
The scabbard is in very good condition. The steel locket and chape retain their original blueing with some minor wear. The stitching is intact and strong and the bayonet sheathes smoothly and is held firmly within the scabbard.
This is a very good example of a hard to find, Vickers made P1907 bayonet with a rare experimental upper edge.
