Scarce No.5 Mk1 “Jungle Carbine” bayonet.
The No.5 rifle had a shorter barrel and was lighter in weight, purposely made for airborne troops in the European theatre of World War II. Despite its initial purpose, the No.5 carbine saw most of its service in post war colonial conflicts such as the Malayan Emergency, earning it the nickname “Jungle Carbine.”
Production of the No.5 bayonet began in March 1944, and finished in December 1947. Four companies were initially contracted to produce the No.5 bayonet.
Wilkinson Sword Company, London made 188,354; Viners Ltd., Sheffield produced 42,000; Radcliffe made 75,000 and Elkington & Co. Ltd., Birmingham produced 10,768. An unknown, but small number were produced post WWII by the Royal Ordnance Factory in Poole, Dorset.
This bayonet was made by the Wilkinson Sword Company and bears their wartime dispersal code S294.
The 203mm clip-point Bowie blade has a single edge and long single fuller below the rounded spine. The blade is in very good condition and retains its factory edge. The ricasso retains its black paint and is stamped with WSC below the dispersal code S294. The obverse ricasso is stamped with a crowned inspection mark, bend test X and a Broad Arrow.
The wrap around wooden grip scales are in excellent condition and are held tightly in place by two screws. The press stud is in perfect working order and bears a Broad Arrow stamp.
The bayonet is complete with its early issue Mk 1 scabbard. The scabbard is stamped with the dispersal code for Viners Ltd., S286.
This is an excellent example of the famous Jungle Carbine bayonet.
