Australian, WW1, Dated 1919, Lithgow Marked 1907 Bayonet with 2nd Military District Marks, and WW2 Scabbard Made By J. B. Brooks & Co. Ltd.

*Australian, WW1, Dated 1919, Lithgow Marked 1907 Bayonet with 2nd Military District Marks, and WW2 Scabbard Made By J. B. Brooks & Co. Ltd.*

Approximate Measurements: blade 41.7cm 54.1cm overall
Marked on the cross guard: “2nd MD”, “70556”
Marked on pommel: “A 30044”
Marked on ricasso: (Star A), X (Bend Test), Star A
Marked on obverse: LITHGOW (remnant), 1919

This is an Australian produced version of the 1907 Bayonet. The Sword bayonet for use with the .303 caliber Short, Magazine Lee-Enfield No. I Mk. III (SMLE) rifle. The No. I Mk. III rifle was the Australian mainstay during both World Wars and afterward, until superseded by the L1A2 (FN-FAL) selective-fire rifle. It bears the Lithgow proof mark on the ricasso and the remnants of the Lithgow name on the obverse, the date looks like 1919. The Star A was the early Lithgow inspection mark 1913 – mid-1920’s. The Pattern 1907 bayonet was manufactured in Australia from 1913 to 1927, and then again between 1940 and 1945 at the Lithgow Small Arms Factory. The hooked lower quillon was deleted in 1915. This one has had the muzzle ring removed entirely. The number on the pommel is the serial number from manufacture in 1919, Lithgow Pattern 1907 bayonets were numbered to rifles on the pommel. The pommel of this bayonet shows it was a ‘A’ series produced blade and is marked A / 30044. The serial number on the crossguard is from allocation to the military district in the 1920s “2nd MD”, “70556”; 2nd MD refers to 2nd military district New South Wales.

Scabbard marked: M/44, chape marked “J.B.B., B.2.” Skennerton’s reference book The Broad Arrow, indicates that M44 is the stamp of a subcontractor, J. B. Brooks & Co. Ltd, Birmingham. This is  a WW2 Scabbard with large round frog stud, no rivets and a straight rather than rounded edge to the chape.

*Condition*

This Sword bayonet is in good condition commensurate with age and service and may well have seen service in both world wars. There is some discoloration to the blade and the markings are not clear. The press button works well.  The muzzle ring has been removed. The scabbard fits well and is in very good condition with the expected knocks and dings, The stitching is all intact. Please see photographs as part of the condition report.

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