British P1856 Enfield Sword Bayonet Adapted for WW1 Short Magazine Lee-Enfield Rifle.
This is a rare example of a British P1856 Enfield Short Rifle bayonet which has been armoury shortened and adapted for the Short Magazine Lee-Enfield (SMLE) rifle.
Originally a yataghan bladed sword bayonet (bar-on-barrel type), this bayonet was adapted by the Enfield Small Arms Factory for use with the SMLE rifle which was introduced in 1902 and was the primary weapon of British troops in World War 1.
The original Pattern 1856 bayonet was made in Germany by Weyersberg and the ricasso bears the knights head logo and a Solingen inspection stamp. The obverse ricasso bears the date stamp of October 1883. The ricasso also bears an Enfield inspection/repair stamp and the British War Department “WD” stamp and a broad arrow which are over-stamped on an earlier Solingen inspection mark.
The blade has been shortened to 306mm with a needle-sharp spear point, upper false edge and honed blade. The re-worked blade is clearly intended for combat as opposed to training or drill purposes. Similar bayonets are to be found which have been shortened for cadet issue with rounded points.
As well as shortening and re-pointing the blade, the muzzle ring has been bushed to 16mm and the upper quillion milled off. The pommel has also been milled. These adaptations are to allow the bayonet to be fitted to the SMLE rifle. An Enfield inspection mark is stamped above the milled area on the pommel. The steel pommel also bears a Solingen inspection stamp and the number “15.”
The back of the tang bears the stamp “TM” which has been partly deleted and replaced with a newer stamp “AN.” The belly of the tang also bears lettering which has been partly obscured.
The leather grip scales are in excellent condition and bear the original Solingen crowned inspection stamps. The press stud and external spring mechanism work perfectly.
At the turn of the century stocks of Enfield sword bayonets were re-worked and issued to Indian and other colonial troops. This is a rare and interesting adapted bayonet of the type issued to colonial troops using the SMLE rifle and who fought along-side the British in the trenches of France in WW1.
