Front end of SMLE with bayonet mount

Fitted to a 1907

"Muzzle ring" actually mounts on separate stud under barrel

WWI Grenade cup discharger mounted between the SMLE and the bayonet it locates the grenade correctly to be launched by a purpose made round fired from the rifle

Repro By Mark Simm

WWI wire breaker attachment designed to fit the 1903 and 1907 bayonet, by using a cam to allow for the blade width differences in the two blades. This adjusts the height of the wire V to align with the centre of the muzzle. Pictures show it fitted to both the 1903 and the 1907, fitting is sprung clip and the cam is set by aligning numbers (3 and 7) with matching numbers on the main section.

Parade tip for 1907 bayonet, designed to prevent flags snagging on the tip of mounted bayonets during parade duties

WWI Vigilant mirror, sold to act as "periscope" for troops in trenches, allowing them to see without being seen

Hinged clip on rear allows mirror to be attached to a bayonet or other object to get height or reach

Signal lamp from WWI designed to fit on a 1907 Bayonet. This allowed it to stick up above the trench parapet and the morse key for the lamp kept protected below the rampart

courtesy 'N FLITTER' e Bay ID '18FL'

AUSTRIA

A contract for Bayonets for the Austrian SMLE's used by the Police post WWI was placed and a new made modified 84/98 style blade with a muzzle ring. There is some discussion that these may be Israeli contract as well

courtesy of John Humphries

AUSTRALIA

Initial use of the 1907 was with UK produced models, these have the UK acceptance marks and the Australian acceptance (arrow in D, or D^D) marks on the pommel. Large numbers of UK made blades were used by the Australian services, and many early Australian made blades were made with parts shipped from the UK especially the wood grip panels.

Australia made the 1907 in both the original quillioned and un-quillioned forms. The Australian Quillion is of a slightly more square pattern than the UK made version and was produced for a longer period than in the UK where production finished in 1913. Early models were marked Lithgow, while in the 20's this was changed to MA, for Made in Australia, or latterly Munitions Australia. OA or Orange made blades were produced in WWII. Grips will be found stamped with SLAZ or SLAZENGER, whilst scabbards were made by MANGROVITE particularly during WWII. The  Australians made a scabbard during the 20's from two pieces of leather, which had stitching on both sides (double stitched), whilst this design was accepted in the UK only Australia made it in any numbers. 

The Australians authorised the grinding of a false edge on the back of their blades after 1944.

The Australians trialed three versions of modified 1907 bayonet to be used with the shortened carbine version of the No4 rifle. These had 6", 10" and 17" blades and were made in very small numbers. They all used the standard 1907 hilt and blade with a modified cross guard to fit around the No6 flash hider.

Cut down 1907 blades were used initially to make the first OWEN, machine gun bayonets, these have fullers extending through the end of the bayonet. Later versions used specifically made blades with shorter fullers

During the proving of the Lithgow machinery COLT marked blades were made.

Mint COLT manufactured 1907 with quillion, thought to be manufacturers sample due to the total lack of wear - Many thanks to Ronnie Wilson for these pictures

Pommel stamp of Colt blade, also seen on grips

There is some doubt now on the explanation for the Colt marking, and that it was actually put on a presentation blade for the inspector visiting the factory rather than pre production items

Left side of Quillioned Colt

Right side of quillioned Colt

1920 Lithgow with double stitched scabbard

Ricasso marks on Lithgow

Stitch line on both sides of scabbard

A Trials bayonet, this has good quality steel but a rough finish, another example examined at the same time had a better quality finish but had a different cross guard

courtesy Colin

 Standard pattern 1907 bayonet

This bayonet is an unknown one based on the 17" Trials bayonet, it does not however have the correct markings and there are some dimensional differences.

Later model of the OWEN with the short made fullers, early pattern blades are identical with the exception of the fuller length.

CANADA

With the withdrawal of the ROSS rifle from service the Canadians bought UK produced SMLE's with pattern 1907 bayonets with quillions, these having been declared obsolete by UK in 1913 with the removal of the quillion from the 1907 pattern design. They also bought large numbers of the post 1913 quillion removed version of the bayonet. All Canadian blades have a Arrow C on the Pommel

Vickers Markings

CHINA

China used 1907 pattern blades and bayonets to make their 1920 bayonet. Additionally they made their own blades based on the 1907 style. These blades are heavily blued but have heavy grinding marks from the hand making of them. They are unmarked.

EGYPT

After WWI Egypt used the SMLE rifle and bayonet.

Arabic serial on pommel of UK 1907, thought to be Egyptian

Ricasso marks on 1907 show it to be new made in 1928 by Sanderson and blued to old original style not UK style of period

GERMANY

During WWI the Germans used captured SMLE's and bayonets for rear echelon and support troops. They even made an all steel (Ersatz pattern) all steel scabbard.

Pre WWI a trial run was made of the 1907's for export sales by E&F Horster, only a limited number were made and the scheme was not carried forward.

INDIA

The Indians made large numbers of the 1907 pattern bayonet and variations of it. These are often mis identified and given a wide profusion of descriptions. The following list is based on that given by Skennerton in his book on Commonwealth bayonets.

Initial production of the 1907 pattern blade was started in 1914 and the Ricassos are marked RFI. It is possible to find the blades marked with RFI (Rifle Factory Ishapore), NWR (North West Railways), MIL (Metal Industries Lahore) and JU (Jhelum Arsenal).

1907 identical to the UK 1907 blade

Indian Pattern 1907, was an unfullered blade with slightly different grips produced in 1917 for limited trials

No 1 Mk I       - Redesignation of 1907 patter blade in 1926

Mk I*     - As I with blade shortened to 12.2", fuller runs through point

No 1 Mk I**   - As I* with 2" false edge

No 1 Mk II      - New made 12.2" blade no fullers

No 1 Mk II*    - as Mk II with false edge

No 1 Mk III     - New made 12.2" blade no fullers and square pommel

No 1 Mk III*   - Mk III with false edge

No 1 Mk IV     - ?

No 1 Mk V      - ?

No 1 Mk VI     - No 1 Mk I grip and cross guard with bowie pointed No 5 blade

No 1 Mk VI*   - No 1 Mk VI without Fuller.

The USA supplied large numbers of  1914 pattern rifles and bayonets to India in WWII, some of these bayonets were converted by fitting a 1907 pattern crossguard but retaining the origianl grips

Note however that the standards of marking are poor and blades have been seen with marks other than those above. It should be noted that many of the blades for sale come without scabbards.

India 1907 made by RFI in 1919

added 9/8/02

No 1 Mk I* marked DP for Drill purpose.

Wilkinson made 1907 in Indian brass mounted scabbard

Locket and Chape were both Brass made rather than the steel of the normal 1907 scabbard

added 30/11/03

1956 marked rework of a Wilkinson 1907, converted into a MkI**

added 24/5/03

No 1 Mk II

No 1 Mk II made by NWR in 1943

Previously unrecorded in the books a MIL made MKII without a false edge.

No1 MkII* made by MIL

added 12/10/2002

MkIII without a false edge based on an RFI made MkII blade. Distinctive MkIII pommel is used as decider on bayonet designation

One of the 1914 pattern US supplied bayonets converted by the replacement of the original cross guard with the lower 1907 pattern one. Indian markings were placed on the  Pommel

1907 low muzzle ring but 1914/1917 grooved grips

191? model mark

added 13/08/02

INDONESIA

Indonesian used 1907 made by Australia. Scabbard is made from wood and uses the original locket from the 1907 scabbard. The 1907 on the ricasso is interesting but it is not known its significance

IRAN

Like Egypt Iran used the SMLE rifle and bayonet, after WWI

IRAQ update 21/08/2002

Like Egypt Iraq used the SMLE rifle and bayonet, after WWI

Ex UK issued 1907 with Arabic text and new all leather scabbard. This was picked up outside Baghdad by a US trooper.

Any translation of lettering or identification of he button on the strap of the scabbard would be appeciated.

Modified 1907. Modifications consist of an additional stud through the grips, and the reversal of the leather to give the seam at the front, the locket and chape have been re attached with rivets and not the staples used on UK scabbards.

Scabbard modifications

Distinctive but unknown marking on bayonet, This markings similar to the Iraq Air Force marking and it is this which I have used to tentatively identify this blade as Iraqi, unless someone can tell me differently .

Note that Skennerton's book on markings show a Triangular marking as being Iraq in nature

8-5-2004 marking identified as that of the Iraqi National Congress opposition party (http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/iraq/insignia.htm)

ITALY

After WWII Italy used the SMLE rifle and bayonet. They made a bayonet for the SMLE using a 1907 style hilt with a Carcano blade. The scabbard used the 1907 pattern leather and chape with a Carcano throat. See Italy

Bayonet made using Carcano blade hilted to suit the SMLE rifles supplied to Italy after WWII, scabbard is UK scabbard with M44 makers marks that has been cut down and an Italian Carcano throat fitted.

Hilt modified to fit onto the SMLE rifle

NEW ZEALAND

In WWI New Zealand Troops were issued with UK produced 1907 pattern bayonets, and to a much lesser extent Australian made bayonets. Some were marked N^Z on the pommel. Very few Quillioned blades were issued to New Zealand troops.

Dress 1907 all chromed with plastic coated hilt and scabbard, not sure if chroming is NZ or UK

Pommel is marked NZ for New Zealand issue

Pommel is unit marked

Pommel Markings on a New Zealand issue 1907 made in the UK

NORWAY

During WWII the Norwegian resistance were dropped SMLE rifles and bayonets to allow them to resist the German occupiers. Apparently the Norwegians did not like the blades and typically discarded them. It is doubtful if they carry any Norwegian markings. There are 1913/17 pattern bayonets that have a modified scabbard to fit American style webbing. See under Norway

SIAM

In 1920 BSA (British Small Arms) fulfilled a contract with SIAM for the supply of 10,000 rifles and bayonets. The contract was filled by re furbishing ex UK blades. They are marked with the Wild Tiger Corps emblem (a tigers head) and script which includes the rifle number. Although issued in standard Leather with steel mounts, the climate meant these rapidly degraded and the leather was replaced with thin steel, with the original mounts brazed back on the ends. 

Ricasso Tigers Head Mark

SOUTH AFRICA

South Africa used UK supplied 1907's during WWI. Examples of most UK makers have been noted in the references, as well as the possibility of Remington made versions.

During WWII South Africa made limited numbers of it's own 1907 pattern bayonets, both by SAR (South African Railways) and AECO, with locally made scabbards. I also have  a WWII Australian made blade with South African markings. South African Markings are an M in a U

WWII Australian made 1907 issued to SA unit

SA made Frog on UK made 1907 pattern blade

TURKEY

Turkey used large numbers of 1907's either captured during the WWI battles or purchased between the wars. As typical of Turkish blades many of these were modified to fit the 1935 rifle, by shortening the blade to 250mm, and fitting a modified cross guard to suit the rifle. Many are quoted as Gallipoli captures but care should be taken on the dates etc. of the blades, plus many of the Australian troops were actually issued UK blades and not Australian due to the limited numbers of Australian made blades in service at this time. Blades can be found in both full size and in the reduced and modified size.

UK

The 1907 pattern bayonet came at the end of a series of trials of various bayonet types. The final pattern is clearly heavily influenced by the Japanese Ariska Type 30. The initial production started in January 1908 and had a curved Quillion as the Ariska. Production of these was carried out by Enfield (the largest producer), Wilkinson, Sanderson, Chapman, Vickers and Mole. Initial scabbards had a hidden chape but this was changed in 1908 to the external chape normally seen. Note fakes of these are regularly turning up due to the extra value to the collector of the quillioned blades.

In 1913 it was decided to remove the hooked quillion from production blades, without changing the designation. As blades went through repairs or re-furbishment they had the quillions removed (or as noted above sent to Canada) they had the quillions removed, and early made versions can be found with the quillion ground off. By the end of  WWI Vickers had finally commenced production of the 1907, these appear to have a markedly larger Oil hole in the pommel as well as the Vickers Ricasso markings note that when measured the cleaning hole is the same size as all other 1907's it does however have a countersunk surface giving the appearance of a larger hole

In 1914 a Drill Purpose bayonet with a 1/4" shorter blade and more rounded point was approved. Such blades are marked DP.

In 1915 Remington made 1907's arrived from the USA and are clearly  marked as such. These should not be confused with the Remington 1913 pattern blade which does not fit the SMLE but is for the 1914 pattern rifle and has a different crossguard. American made scabbards by Jewell and Grafton can be found with either Remington of UK made blades.

In 1924 trials were made of a shortened 1907 pattern bayonet for the Farquhar-Hill automatic rifle, the blade being shortened to 290mm, very few were made and fakes are known (mine is a fake)

In WWII the 1907 was again manufactured by Wilkinson to fulfil  a contract for the Admiralty. These are marked S294 WSC (the makers code for Wilkinson).  Additionally a 1907 shortened to 427mm form the same period has been recorded.

During it's life there were several authorised finishes to both scabbards and blades. Blades can be found in the white, polished, parkerised, blued (fully and partially), chromed or blackened (admiralty). And these finishes could be original or applied during re-furbishment. For scabbards Patent leather finishes, wax, and "matt" finishes in brown and black are all possible, and earlier scabbards were refinished in the finish of the day as appropriate.

Relic condition 1907 with quillion

Ricasso mark showing April 1908 manufacture date

Pommel marks XXX over R.X 

1911 produced 1907 with re-sharpened broken blade

Broken point has been re-sharpened

Ricasso marks, pommel mark indicate its use by a Nottinghamshire? regiment 1 NOT

Interesting unfinished 1907, the pommel has been left totally unfinished, this may identify the unknown pair of more finished bayonets I already have. There are no marks on this blade at all.

Enfield 1913 made quillioned 1907 in original MkI scabbard with internal chape

Internal chape and Kings Royal Rifle corps pommel markings

Original Buff leather frog

Original 1907, EFD marked 1911 with Quillion 

Fake quillion 1907, based on a 1944 Admiralty contract blade (quillions ceased in 1913!)

Wilkinson Pall Mall stamped 1907

Markings on 1944 made Admiralty contract 1907

UK WWI production 1907 cut down to 10" complete with scabbard, the purpose and provenance is unknown

Enfield EFD marking on spine of cut down bayonet

Chapman made 1907 used by Home guard in WWII

Pommel and ring were modified for an unknown firearm

Rough machining on pommel and flat on top of muzzle ring

False edge grinding on 1907

Three variations of frog for the1907

1907 issued to the officers training college at Stonyhurst school. I have now found out that the school can possibly trace the piece to its original "owner" and his military history. The blade will be going on display at the school as they have no example left at the school

Fake Farquhar-Hill trials bayonet

Remington made 1907 with chromed blade and black painted scabbard, possibly for parade use.

Remington Ricasso markings showing August 1915 makers date

RAF marked Sanderson made bayonet, like the Remington this has been highly polished

RAF stamp on scabbard throat

RAF markings on a 1907 bayonet

Mole manufactured 1907

MOLE makers stamp lightly impressed on ricasso

WSC 1942 made 1907, which has been chromed for parade use

Ricasso marks the WSC is not combined with the more common S294

JAC marked 1907

Beech grips on JAC bayonet

JAC made 1907 with RR stamps, there are no manufacture dates on this blade and the RR stamp is unusual for a 1907

opposite ricasso of 1907 shows no issue stamps either, if never issued why then reduced in status

M44 makers stamp on throat piece on 1907 scabbard

Late date of manufacture of this scabbard is evident form the compression marks on the throat rather than the more normal riveted fixings

Remington 1917 fitted with home guard frog and 1 OTC pommel marks

Home guard frog on US pattern 1917 scabbard

RAF marked Sanderson made bayonet, like the Remington this has been highly polished

RAF stamp on scabbard throat, these were used by airfield security troops of the RAF regiment

Front view of double stitched UK scabbard made by HRG, found on 1913 Remington bayonet.

1907 with replacement brass grips

Ricasso shows 1923 rework date so the grips are dated after this, could they be for ceremonial use or a home guard modification, there are at least 3 of these blades that I know of. Blade is highly polished and is probably period as brass has been allowed to tarnish

Originally issued to the Kings Royal Rifles

Grips are riveted and not crew fixed

Ex territorial marked 1907 with replacement bone grips, plated blade and refinished pommel and cross guard. The press stud has been replaced as it is a very poor fit, and the original pommel marks partially removed leaving the T for territorial being the only clearly remaining mark

Interesting rubber 1907 for film use. bayonet is styled on the early quillioned 1907

but hilt and cross guard modifications means it probably fits the P13/P17 rifle and not the  original SMLE, the quillioned blades were never made for these pattern rifles.

Hilt has been machined down

Original blade copied is RAF marked and has the pommel oil hole, neither of which would be found on a quillioned 1907

One that was photographed for my CD and now part of my collection, late WSC made 1907, locket has used late compression fit locket but used the older style locket with the 3 rivet holes.

Ex territorial marked 1907 with replacement bone grips, plated blade and refinished pommel and cross guard. The press stud has been replaced as it is a very poor fit, and the original pommel marks partially removed leaving the T for territorial being the only clearly remaining mark

UNKNOWN

Although this bayonet uses a 1907 pattern blade there are no makers marks etc on the blade, only a bending mark. Pommel shape is similar to an unfinished blade shown in ABC

Grips are fixed using oval washers and a single sided screw, these are similar to the Japanese Arisaka fittings. The pommel fittings to mount on the rifle are missing

Right grips show no sign of fixings. The pommel shape is also reminiscent of the Japanese Arisaka although much heavier

An essentially identical blade, for use as a side arm as it has no fittings other then the Muzzle ring to mount it on the rifle

Bend mark is evident on both blades

Shape of pommel and grips is identical to the bayonet above

It appears that the hole in the pommel for the press stud may have been filled with braze. Although roughly made, the grip screws on both blades have been set to align

Another 1907 pattern bayonet with no marking to indicate maker or user. The blade is very coarsely finished

Hilt etc. is almost identical with my previously obtained "No6" trials blade

Shape of blade is only rough ground and is not that of any other 1907 blades in my collection

An unknown scabbard for a 1907 pattern bayonet. It is is of very high quality and is not a Siamese or German Ersatz one (known version anyway). The quality of the workmanship does not indicate Turkish although they did use the 1907 and made steel scabbards for shortened ones if you have any ideas please let me know Photographs courtesy of Jim Doherty

Steel scabbard of unknown origin

Uses throat from early pattern scabbard

Bottom of scabbard shaped to imitate chape on original leather scabbard

One suggestion is that this scabbard is for the VTC bayonet, which was essentially an 07 blade with an 1888 hilt