British 1888 Mk I Type II Lee Metford Bayonet. Royal Marines Issue

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British Lee Metford Rifle Bayonet 1888 Royal Marines P1888 Lee Metford Bayonet Naval Issue 1888 Mk1 Type II Bayonet British 1888 Mk I Type II Lee Metford Bayonet. Royal Marines Issue #4 British 1888 Mk I Type II Lee Metford Bayonet. Royal Marines Issue #5 British 1888 Mk I Type II Lee Metford Bayonet. Royal Marines Issue #6 British 1888 Mk I Type II Lee Metford Bayonet. Royal Marines Issue #7 British 1888 Mk I Type II Lee Metford Bayonet. Royal Marines Issue #8 British 1888 Mk I Type II Lee Metford Bayonet. Royal Marines Issue #9 British 1888 Mk I Type II Lee Metford Bayonet. Royal Marines Issue #10 British 1888 Mk I Type II Lee Metford Bayonet. Royal Marines Issue #11
British Pattern 1888 Mk I Type II Lee Metford Rifle Bayonet issued to the Royal Marines. P1888 Lee Metford bayonets are highly collectable. Naval/Royal Marines issue examples in their 1903 pattern naval issue scabbards are rare. These scabbards were made to accommodate the 1903 pattern Short Magazine Lee Enfield (SMLE) bayonet which was essentially the P1888 blade re-hilted for the new rifle. The scabbards with internal steel locket and chape were interchangeable with the existing Lee Metford P1888 scabbards and were considered better suited to service at sea.

This rare bayonet is in great condition for its 124 years of age. The double-edged blade is marked on the ricasso with a flat Victorian crown over VR (Victoria Regina) and the production date, ‘02 ‘96 (February 1896). The obverse ricasso is marked with an Enfield inspection mark, the British War Department broad arrow, and “WD” and a bend test stamp. The blade spine also bears two worn Enfield inspection stamps. The blade has a small patch of tarnish on each side caused by the scabbard spring, some tiny scattered speckles and a very small area of pitting on one side at the point. The rest of the blade remains bright. The edges have been service sharpened and there are a few sharpening scratches and use related marks.

The wooden grip is firm and in fair condition with a dark patina and two large brass rivets positioned close together. The wooden scales have been intentionally notched. It is open to speculation as to why this was done but I doubt that these are “kill marks” unless this was one very scary Marine! It is more likely that the user intended to improve the grip by notching it or that he was counting active deployments or even just counting down the days or weeks until shore leave. The grip scales are drilled with an oil hole on both sides above the top rivet. The steel crosspiece and pommel are bright and free from rust with a pale grey patina and pinpoint shallow pitting. The pommel is stamped with R.M. for the Royal Marines and a struck out issue or rack number. The obverse bears the letter N for naval issue. The press-stud locking mechanism is in good working order.

The bayonet is complete with its 1903 pattern naval issue black leather scabbard with brass riveted integral frog. The scabbard has an internal steel locket and chape. The mouth of the locket is stamped with the issue number 175. The black leather is in overall great condition. The stitching is intact and firm and the leather is faintly stamped with the remnants of a navy N, a broad arrow and a crowned inspection mark. The integral frog also bears worn and partial stamps.

The bayonet sheathes and draws smoothly and is held firmly within the scabbard.

This is an excellent example of a rare Royal Marines issued Lee Metford bayonet.

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