Original British WWI P-1907 Enfield Bayonet by James A. Chapman with P17 Scabbard – Dated 1916 Original Items

Original Item: Only One Available. This is a standard British WWI P-1907 bayonet, which is marked JAC (James A. Chapman) on the ricasso, together with the correct King’s Crown G.R. (very faint) over 1907, together with all the usual acceptance marks and proofs. The bayonet is also stamped 9 and ’16, indicating manufacture in September of 1916. This bayonet was most definitely issued during WWI to British forces.

The scabbard is also in good shape, with intact leather, and almost all of the original green paint. It has not been repainted, like many we see, and the original steel fittings still have much of the blued finish. There is however some cracking in the green finish, exposing bare leather. The scabbard is the American version with the pistol belt hanger. This could have been used by an American during the war, but the personal history has been lost to time. This is NOT an American overstamp, it still retains all British proof marks.

A very nice British P-1907 bayonet with scabbard, ready to display or fit to your WWI SMLE rifle!

Specifications:
Blade Length: 17″
Blade Style: Single Edge with Fuller
Overall length: 21 3/4″
Crossguard: 2 1/2”
Scabbard Length: 17 1/2″

History of the P-1907 Bayonet
The British “Pattern of 1907” Bayonet was developed for the No.1 MkIII Enfield rifle, often called the SHT.LE, SMLE, S.M.L.E., “Smelly” etc. The P-1907 replaced the earlier P-1903 bayonet, which was a double edged bayonet based on the P-1888 bayonet of the Lee-Metford rifle. The P-1903 had been developed for the “Long” Magazine Lee-Enfield, which was 49.6 inches in overall length. With the introduction of the Short Magazine Lee-Enfield in 1904, the 12 inch bayonet was no longer considered long enough for the 44.6 inch SMLE, so the 17 inch bladed 1907 was developed.

In it’s original form, the P-1907 had a hooked guard (quillon), which was then removed from the pattern in early WWI due to the questionable use and increased production time. Unlike the 1903, the 1907 had a single edged blade that was less wide, but made of thicker stock.