The L1A4 is a Knife bayonet for use on the 7.62 mm NATO L1A1 variant of the Belgium FN–FAL selective-fire rifle. The L1A4 bayonet was approved in the late 1950s but was not produced until the 1970s. Most of the differences between the L1A3 and the L1A4 are in the internal construction.
The 200mm single edged blade has a rounded spine and a sharpened clip point. This blade has a long fuller, unlike the late production L1A3 blade with its shortened fuller. The ricasso is stamped with “B60.” It is possible that this bayonet utilised an early L1A3 long fullered blade and it also has the early L1A3 waisted crosspiece, which was phased out and replaced with a straight, non-waisted crosspiece on later L1A3 and L1A4 bayonets.
The re-painted black metal grip bears the NATO designation L1A4 9600259 SM. SM is the code for the manufacturer, Hopkinson Ltd of Sheffield.
The bayonet is complete with a Mk5 scabbard. The Mk5 scabbard was used for several British bayonets, from the Mk5 bayonet through to the L1A4 from around 1940 into the 1980’s. The scabbard is in excellent condition.
