Rare British 1903 pattern bayonet marked to the Sherwood Foresters, the Nottinghamshire & Derbyshire Regiment.
The P1903 bayonet was developed for use with the Mk1 III Short Magazine Lee Enfield (SMLE) rifle. The design combined the blade and crosspiece of the 1888 pattern bayonet with a new pommel design. Many 1903 pattern bayonets are actually P1888 bayonets that have been converted.
The P1903 had a short service life as the blade wasn’t thought to be long enough, having less reach than most European bayonets when combined with the shorter Mk1 rifle. The P1903 was produced for British use from 1903–1907, at which time the P1907 was adopted.
This example is in excellent condition. The 306mm double-edged blade is bright and clean with its factory edge. The blade has a flattened diamond cross-section with a raised medial ridge and terminates in a spear point.
The blued ricasso bears an Enfield inspection stamp over the crowned cypher of King Edward VII and the pattern date, 1903. The blade maker’s details of the Wilkinson Sword Company are stamped at the base of the ricasso below the numeral 1. The lack of an earlier pattern and manufacture date on the ricasso suggests that the blade was Wilkinson old stock which was utilised for the manufacture of the 1903 bayonet at the Enfield Small Arms Factory. The obverse ricasso bears a bend test X.
The steel crosspiece and pommel retain their original blued finish with minimal age-related marks. The pommel bears the unit designation of the 3rd Battalion Sherwood Foresters (Nottinghamshire & Derbyshire) Regiment.
The end of the pommel is stamped with EFD, indicating that the conversion/fabrication was carried out at the government’s Enfield factory. The press-stud locking mechanism works perfectly. The wooden grip scales are in good condition with age and use related marks.
The black leather scabbard is in great condition. The steel furniture retains its original polished finish with small spots of tarnish. The steel locket and chape bear inspection stamps and the leather is stamped with an EFD, Broad Arrow and crowned Enfield inspection stamp. The stitching is intact and in good condition. The bayonet sheathes and draws smoothly and is held firmly within the scabbard.
This is an excellent example of a British 1903 pattern bayonet marked to the Sherwood Foresters, a prestigious British regiment.
