Original British WWI P-1907 Enfield Bayonet by SANDERSON dated 1917 with No. I Mk. II Scabbard Original Items

Original Item: Only One Available. This is a standard British WWI P-1907 bayonet, which is marked SANDERSON 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 faintly with 1 and ’17, indicating manufacture in January of 1917. This bayonet probably was issued during WWI to British forces. There is also a later 4’33 date, so it may have been re-arsenaled at that point after use. There is also a 41 stamp on the other side, so it is very possible that this bayonet remained in service into WWII. There are lots of proof markings in addition to these stampings. For more information please see Watts & White THE BAYONET BOOK, Page 393, Item 819.

The bayonet comes with its correct No. I Mk. II Scabbard, with steel fittings and a later pattern round frog stud. It has the correct three rivets to attach the throat springs, which like most later pattern scabbards, are not ground flush. There is maker mark on the reverse side of the throat fitting. Unlike many scabbards we have seen, this example has not been painted over, and still has the original metal finish on the fittings.

Overall condition is very good, though both the bayonet and scabbard do show wear from decades of service. The finish is mostly worn on the bayonet, and the leather on the scabbard is a bit damaged.

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.