British Pattern 1888 Mk I Type II Lee Metford Rifle Bayonet.
This scarce bayonet is in excellent condition and is highly collectable. The 303mm double-edged blade is marked on the ricasso with the maker’s name, Wilkinson, London and the numeral 11, presumably denoting the month of November. The obverse ricasso is marked with an Enfield inspection mark, the British War Department broad arrow, and “WD” and a bend test stamp beside a date stamp ’16 (1916). The blade spine bears a Wilkinson inspection stamp. The dating of this bayonet indicates that it was old, unissued stock that was brought into service late in WW1 (November 1916).
The wooden grip is firm and in excellent condition with two large brass rivets positioned close together. The wooden hilt 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. The press-stud locking mechanism is in good working order.
The bayonet is complete with its black leather scabbard with steel mounts. The steel locket and chape are stamped with Enfield inspection marks. The leather is in overall good condition and the stitching has a period repair and is intact and tight.
The bayonet sheathes and draws smoothly and is held firmly within the scabbard.
This is an excellent example of the iconic British Boer War bayonet that was brought back into service for World War One.
