Ok,
So I bought 3 Enfield bayonets from an auction a while ago. One was just a plain, cut down Australian 1907 with modified scabbard and may have been used as a fighting knife or an early Owen Machine Carbine bayonet, from what I have read (any other possibilities would be great to know!). One was an unissued N0. 7 in almost mint condition made by BSA. My second now as I already had a similar condition one made by BSA. The third one was supposed to be a No.5 in excellent condition, but when I got it something looked wrong! It only had a small muzzle ring and other different markings on it! There was no way that it was going to fit on the No. 5's flash hider! Google time!
Turns out to be one of the Very rare experimental No. 8 bayonets from the experimental SLEM that Dieudonné Saive from Fabrique Nationale was working on when exiled to England during WWII and ended finishing up back in Belgium after the war. Apparently, only about 2000-2400 of these rifles/bayonets were made.
Not a bad haul for $150 hammer price and $200 and change to my door!
Does anyone have any additional info. on these at all? Anyone else have one?
I will post some pictures as soon as I get home tonight.
Here is some information that I have been able to dredge up from the web
- Bayonet No.8, made for the SLEM 1 - Self-Loading Enfield (or Experimental) Model No. 1 designed by Dieuedonne Saive of FN during WWII when he worked in exile at RSAF Enfield. Development models were built in 7.92 x 57mm, and after Saive returned to Belgium after the war, it was further developed to become the FN49.
Allegedly 2400 bayonets were made at ROF Poole in 1946 and carry the Poole mark of P in a circle.
- The No 8, plate B300 (page #255) found in "British & Commonwealth Bayonets" by Ian Skennerton. Usually found in VG to Exc condition was manufactured for the 7.92mm, S.L.E.M. (Self-loading Experimental Model) with the manufacturers mark S.M.T. inside a diamond on the Pommel.
Only 2,400 were manufactured. It looks like a No 5 bayonet with an 8" Bowie blade and similar grips but the crosspiece has a smaller muzzle ring.
- SMT in diamond on the pommel indicates that that component was made by the Scottish Motor Traction Co.-blade mark of P is for ROF Poole-total produced 2,400 approx.
Cheers,
Ian
So I bought 3 Enfield bayonets from an auction a while ago. One was just a plain, cut down Australian 1907 with modified scabbard and may have been used as a fighting knife or an early Owen Machine Carbine bayonet, from what I have read (any other possibilities would be great to know!). One was an unissued N0. 7 in almost mint condition made by BSA. My second now as I already had a similar condition one made by BSA. The third one was supposed to be a No.5 in excellent condition, but when I got it something looked wrong! It only had a small muzzle ring and other different markings on it! There was no way that it was going to fit on the No. 5's flash hider! Google time!
Turns out to be one of the Very rare experimental No. 8 bayonets from the experimental SLEM that Dieudonné Saive from Fabrique Nationale was working on when exiled to England during WWII and ended finishing up back in Belgium after the war. Apparently, only about 2000-2400 of these rifles/bayonets were made.
Not a bad haul for $150 hammer price and $200 and change to my door!
Does anyone have any additional info. on these at all? Anyone else have one?
I will post some pictures as soon as I get home tonight.
Here is some information that I have been able to dredge up from the web
- Bayonet No.8, made for the SLEM 1 - Self-Loading Enfield (or Experimental) Model No. 1 designed by Dieuedonne Saive of FN during WWII when he worked in exile at RSAF Enfield. Development models were built in 7.92 x 57mm, and after Saive returned to Belgium after the war, it was further developed to become the FN49.
Allegedly 2400 bayonets were made at ROF Poole in 1946 and carry the Poole mark of P in a circle.
- The No 8, plate B300 (page #255) found in "British & Commonwealth Bayonets" by Ian Skennerton. Usually found in VG to Exc condition was manufactured for the 7.92mm, S.L.E.M. (Self-loading Experimental Model) with the manufacturers mark S.M.T. inside a diamond on the Pommel.
Only 2,400 were manufactured. It looks like a No 5 bayonet with an 8" Bowie blade and similar grips but the crosspiece has a smaller muzzle ring.
- SMT in diamond on the pommel indicates that that component was made by the Scottish Motor Traction Co.-blade mark of P is for ROF Poole-total produced 2,400 approx.
Cheers,
Ian
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