Original British WWI P-1907 Enfield Bayonet with Scabbard by Lesser Known Maker James A. Chapman – Dated 1917 Original Items

Original Item: Only One Available. 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.

This is a very nice standard British WWI P-1907 bayonet, which is marked CHAPMAN for the less known and more obscure manufacturer James Arscott Chapman Ltd of Sheffield. Above this is the correct “King’s Crown” G.R. over 1907, for a Pattern 1907 bayonet made during the reign of King George V, who reigned 1910 – 1936. This is marked together with all the usual acceptance marks and proofs. The bayonet is also stamped 5 and ’17, indicating manufacture in October of 1913. For more information please see Watts & White THE BAYONET BOOK, Page 393, Item 819.

The bayonet comes with its correct No. I Scabbard, with steel fittings and the correct round style frog stud. It has the correct three rivets to attach the throat springs, and was not repainted.

The blackened finish on the bayonet crossguard and pommel is still very visible and retained at about 80%. The wood grips are in great condition and only have minor wear to the wood. The scabbard is in excellent condition with no damage or heavy wear to the leather. The steel on both ends are undamaged and still tight to the scabbard and retains less than 10% of the finish.

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″

A bayonet is a knife, dagger, sword, or spike-shaped weapon designed to fit on the end of the muzzle of a rifle, musket or similar firearm, allowing it to be used as a spear-like weapon. From the 17th century to World War I, it was considered a primary weapon for infantry attacks. Today, it is considered an ancillary weapon or a weapon of last resort.
The popular image of World War I combat is of a wave of soldiers with bayonets fixed, “going over the top” and charging across no man’s land into a hail of enemy fire. Although this was the standard method of fighting early in the war, it was rarely successful. British casualties on the first day of the Battle of the Somme were the worst in the history of the British army, with 57,470 British casualties, 19,240 of whom were killed.

During World War I, no man’s land was often hundreds of yards across. The area was usually devastated by the warfare and riddled with craters from artillery and mortar shells, and sometimes contaminated by chemical weapons. Heavily defended by machine guns, mortars, artillery and riflemen on both sides, it was often covered with barbed wire and land mines, and littered with the rotting corpses of those who were not able to make it across the sea of bullets, explosions and flames. A bayonet charge through no man’s land often resulted in the total annihilation of entire battalions.