Rare, late WW2, British, No 4 MKIII Spike Bayonet, by Joseph Lucas Ltd, with rod by Auto Engineering Ltd. of Croydon, and No 4 Mark 11 Scabbard.

*Rare, late WW2, British, No 4 MKIII Spike Bayonet, by Joseph Lucas Ltd, with rod by Auto Engineering Ltd. of Croydon, and No 4 Mark 11 Scabbard.*

This uncommon bayonet is a late WW2 No 4 MKIII Spike Bayonet, representing the final and most basic form of the No. 4 spike bayonet. The socket is constructed by welding seven sheet steel stampings together, eliminating the need for socket forging. Even the spring plunger is a stamping. The sole supplier Joseph Lucas Ltd., Chester Street, Birmingham, produced a total of 196,200 units, all under the makers dispersal code "M/158", as marked. The rod is marked Boxed "S7", indicating manufacture by subcontractor Auto Engineering Ltd. of Croydon. Auto Engineering produced approx. 30,000 rod forgings. The No. 4 Mk. III was declared obsolete in 1946.

The first contract for 200,000 Mark III bayonets was dated 14 April 1943 (although it is possible that production began before this date).  The sheer crudity of construction distinguishes the Mark III from its immediate predecessors. Skennerton writes, "Because of the economies in production, the Mark III was by far the cheapest bayonet to produce". The appearance of the "blacksmith's wonder" does not belie this observation.

The accompanying unmarked Scabbard is No 4. Mark 11. This unusual scabbard has parallel sides and is crafted from very lightweight steel tubing. According to Skennerton, only 25,000 experimental Mk II scabbards were manufactured.

*Condition*
This bayonet is in good condition the socket retains some original finish. The blade is in good condition with no pitting but looks blunted at the tip. The MkII steel scabbard is in very nice condition. Please see photographs as part of the condition report.

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