*Australian, WW2, Owen Mk. I Submachine Gun Bayonet, Dated 1944, Made at the Orange Arsenal, with Scabbard Dated 1953*
This is a well-preserved and rare World War II-era Australian bayonet, which is hard to find.
Ricasso marked: "Broad Arrow", "X" for the bend test, and "OA" for Orange Arsenal.
Obverse faintly marked: "MA" over "1907" over "1" (referencing the Lithgow P-1907 bayonet) and dated "11'44".
Wooden grips are indistinctly marked: "SLAZ"
Scabbard marked: "W" and "MA53" on the body, with "OA" on the top mount and tip.
Approximate measurements: 25.5 cm blade, 37.7 cm overall.
This knife bayonet was designed for the 9mm Owen submachine gun, the only Australian-designed submachine gun used in World War II. Though not initially intended for a bayonet, in 1943 Australia decided to equip the Owen with one, choosing a shorter version of the British Pattern 1907 bayonet. The Owen Mk 1 bayonet, adopted in 1944, retained the hilt and grip of the P-1907 but featured a 10” blade.
World War II-era bayonets were produced at Orange Arsenal in Australia, and marked "OA". The post-World War II version, made in 1953 at Lithgow, was marked "MA".
This bayonet, produced at Orange Arsenal, has smooth wooden grips secured by two bolts and a 10" blackened, single-edged blade with 5 3/4” fullers. Unlike the Mk1/1, this was a new blade rather than a modified No 1 bayonet which has fullers running through the point. The ricasso is stamped on one side with 11 44 (Nov 1944) MA over 1907 over 1 (the pattern reference to the Lithgow P-1907 (No 1) bayonet). The other side of the ricasso is stamped X OA and WD arrow. The bayonet features a straight cross guard, a muzzle ring, a cleaning hole in the pommel, and a functioning locking mechanism. The grips are marked "SLAZ," for Slazanger who made the grips, although the date is indecipherable.
The scabbard is a shorter version of the Australian-made Pattern 1907 to accommodate the 10" blade. Made of brown leather with blackened steel mounts, it is stamped "OA" on the chape and "MA53" on the leather.
*Condition*F
This bayonet is in excellent condition particularly given it is likely to have seen war time service both in WW2, Korea and possibly even Vietnam. The blade is clean with one nick. The bayonet retains much of its original dull blackened finish, with most wear at the tip and along the spine, likely from scabbard use. The pommel, cross guard, and muzzle ring maintain much of their original military blued finish. The scabbard is also in very good condition, with the leather and mounts retaining most of their original finish. The locking mechanism functions smoothly. Please refer to the photographs for further details.
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