Iconic British WW1 Pattern 1907 bayonet made in 1908 by the Wilkinson Sword company and issued during WW1 with a reissue date of 1938, for WW2. The bayonet is unit marked for the 14th County of London Battalion, The London Regiment (London Scottish) which was a territorial force. In 1908, the new territorial force was formed from the 7th Middlesex (London Scottish) Volunteer Rifles Corps, which changed its title to the 14th (County of London) Battalion, The London Regiment (London Scottish).
During World War One, the 14th fought at Ypres, The Somme, Messines, Loos, Arras and Vimy Ridge (The Trench of Death) to name but a few. The London Scottish were the first British Territorial infantry battalion to see action against the Germans in WW1 and during the course of the war suffered 43% casualties.
The 433mm single-edged blade has a long narrow fuller and rounded spine. The edge was factory service sharpened. The blade is in good condition with a pale patina. The ricasso retains its original blueing and is marked with George V crowned royal cypher over the pattern date 1907 and the date of manufacture 5 ’08 below which is stamped Wilkinson Pall Mall. The ricasso bears a second date stamp, ’38 beside a crowned inspection/reissue stamp.
The obverse ricasso bears a bend test stamp, War Department arrow and two Enfield inspection and acceptance stamps.
The crosspiece (with the hooked quillon officially removed), muzzle ring and pommel retain their original blued finish and are in good condition. The press-stud catch is in perfect working order. The pommel is stamped with the unit designation “T. 14. LD” over the weapon number 612. The pommel has a clearing hole that will have been added late into WW1, probably at the same time as the removal of the hooked quillon, and ties in with the 1917 date on the matching weapon numbered scabbard. It is likely that the bayonet was returned to the UK for refurbishment and re-issue after the death of the soldier to whom it was initially issued. The grip scales are in good condition and both bear crowned inspection stamps.
The bayonet is complete with its matching numbered late war (1917) leather scabbard with a round frog stud. The scabbard is in very good condition. The steel locket and chape retain their original blueing. The mouth of the locket is stamped with the number 612. The leather of the scabbard is stamped with a Broad Arrow, crowned Enfield inspection mark and the date 1917. The opposite side of the seam is stamped G.R. 17. The stitching is intact and strong and the bayonet sheathes smoothly and is held firmly within the scabbard.
This is a very good example of the iconic British World War One Enfield rifle bayonet, made by the Wilkinson Sword Company and issued to the famous “London Scottish” who fought bravely throughout WW1.
