SMLE bayonet question

[mousewallrat]

I just bought a type 3 Lee Enfeild, the .410 varation. It is stamped GR, BSA Co., which is I believe Birmingham Small Arms. Year is 1918. I know there are a number of bayonets that fit this rifle, but I'd like to find the original bayonet style. Can anyone help me out here? Would it be the Ishapore Bayonet, or something else? Thanks in advance.

 

[Jim K]

The Pattern 1907 bayonet would be correct. They are fairly common and turn up now and again on the gun auction/sales sites as well as at gun shows. They resemble the Pattern 13/Model 1917 bayonet but don't have the two grooves in the handle (which were put there to prevent confusion with the 1907 bayonet).

Mark III's were reportedly converted to .410 for issue to some third world police forces, but the ones I have seen were converted in the UK at a time when shotguns were still easy to buy but rifles were heavily restricted.

Jim

 

[mousewallrat]

Thanks so much...that helps a lot. I'd heard that the Indian, or Ishapore Bayonet was shorter, and thought it might the the right one for historic value. The 1907 seems like it's as long as my leg.
This rifle has the RFI .410 stamp on the wristband, also 1930. I'm sure it's Indian converted, and at that date. What a beautiful gun...it still has the unit numbers painted on the stock.

 

[OFT]

The Ishapore bayonet is the same as the 1907 except that it has a 12" blade with no fuller. The 1907 will work and certainly looks more impressive.

 

[mousewallrat]

Any idea what the value of one of these might be, or how many were made?

 

[Sunray]

"...I believe Birmingham Small Arms..." Yep. The 'GR' is George Rex. George V of England.
.410 conversions were made to be issued to Indian and African colonial troopies they didn't think could be trusted with a rifle. (The Brits didn't trust their own troopies much either. That's why the mag cut off was still on rifles early in W.W. I) Values depend entirely on condition. They're not as high as any No. 1 Mk III rifle. Nowhere near the demand for 'em either. Don't know how many were made, but there are fewer and fewer of 'em around.
Gunparts has reproduction 1907 bayonets with a scabbard for $69.95. An original runs close to $100 or more.