Bayonets: Martini Enfield 22" bayonet

[Hillebrandt]

I have recently acquired what I believe is a Martini Enfield 22" bayonet. Having looked online at various bayonets for sale I have seen some described as "English" and some as having Egyptian, Arabic or Turkish markings. There are some notable differences in mine compared to those advertised. The main one being that the blackened metal on the socket continues for about 15mm up the blade. Also, mine has a cut out on the socket where it fits to the rifle. I've seen this on one of the other examples but most have a continuous, elongated ring of metal through which the barrel is placed.

How can I tell the origin (and perhaps authenticity) of my bayonet? There are hardly any clear markings on it apart from an etched "b13" (or possibly "613") on the blackened section of the blade.

Any experts out there with any thoughts?

[QSVC]

Hello,

Any chance of a photograph? I haven't seen everything but a picture speaks a thousand words.

I have a Nepalese 1876 Pattern similarly marked though it does have the more obvious markings that give its heritage away.

I'd be curious as to what you have.

Robert

[zuluneil]

Heilbrandt

The cut-out on the .303 conversion of the P'76 is to allow for clearance of the foresight block and barleycorn of the M-E and M-M rifles. There are two distinct versions of these bayonets which I have in my collection, plus a rarer .450" muzzle ring version which I have seen but aqquiring one has proved a different matter.

Your version, which is a bushed P76, with the foresight slot: Quite a few of which actually carry arabic markings, most likely Citadel Arsenal, where M-E conversions eminate. The brazing in on the bush, and heating required the Socket and ricasso to be re-browned (blued), this was acheived by simply immersion in a solution of browning ( Nitric Acid 6 & 1/2 oz, Tincture of steel…3oz, Methylated Spirits ….5oz, and 1 gall of rainwater), hence the blade often gets blued too.

The later patterns are of the correct muzzle ring dia for the M-E & M-M, with an enlarged bridge for the foresight, I have several of these and most noteably the scabbards carry the "EFD" a post 1896 Enfiekd marking and point to specific production.

The rarer version is the .450" diameter, which are possibly "In field" conversions and have no records in the List Of Changes, this has the similar slot for the barleycorn but no evidence of bushing being there: T I can only assume these were made for the 9600 M-H Mk6 Rifles made by BSA & M Co in 1889 in .303 Metford (later M-M Mk2), why they did not simply use the P1887 Sword bayonet is a mystery.

Later patterns of the M-E and M-M utilised the Rigby pattern nosecap which fitted the 88 sword bayonet.

I will take some pics an publish

[Hillebrandt]

Thanks to you both.

I will attempt my first photo attachment shortly.

David