Where does this bayonet belong

[Jörg Krüger]

Hi all. I recently got this bayonet. It was in a rough state and I refurbished it to what I think is nice. Might of been a wrong decision to do, but the leather scabbard came out real nice. Sorry that I don't have before fotos of the actual bayonet. But to what rifle does this belong to? Most probably a 303 but which one and approx age?

 

[Jörg Krüger]

@Von Gruff ,what are your thoughts?

 

[fourfive8]

Not @Von Gruff but my guess is British Pattern M1888 Mk1, 2nd type, Lee Metford
Would have been used Boer War and WWI

 

[Garrett89]

The perfect boar sticker

 

[gesch]

Interesting. How did you clean it up? Thanks. Your friend, Brian

 

[nztimb]

@Von Gruff ,what are your thoughts?

Definitely a later Mk2 Pattern1888 MLM Bayonet as @fourfive8 has noted above. The Mk1 pattern Bayonet is a 3 rivet (in handle) as shown in first pic The Mk2 as Jorg has shown has the 2 rivet handle and shown in the second pic here.
Nice clean up @Jörg Krüger

 

[nztimb]

The pics are much clearer in Ian Skennertons Small Arms Identification serier books

 

[fourfive8]

The number and location of the grip/handle rivets with rivets grouped closer to blade and location of the oil hole near edge of rear rivet are fairly diagnostic for a MK1, 2nd type.

excerpt from arms to armor bayonet ID reference

 

[fourfive8]

 

[Jörg Krüger]

Thank you all for the info. Being that I am in South Africa, I would assume this to be a Boer War bayonet. Did I do the wrong thing of cleaning it up?

 

[shark_za]

The arrow in U is the propery mark for Union Defence Force, South African.
So after 1910, likely WW1.

 

[Jörg Krüger]

Interesting. How did you clean it up? Thanks. Your friend, Brian

Hi Brian. Very fine sand paper, rubbing compound and Balistol oil and lots of elbow grease was used.

 

[WebleyGreene455]

The perfect Boer sticker

FIFY.

Still need one of these myself, though my rifle won't take a bayonet.

 

[Long Ranger]

Nice cleanup .

 

[Long Ranger]

Nice cleanup .

 

[Long Ranger]

Nice cleanup .