New to me No5 MkII bayonet

[flying pig]

My father in law's Dad gave me a couple bayonets a few nights ago. Was pretty excited when I saw this N05 MkII bayonet! I believe its a Wilkinson, WSC and 294 are both visible on the base of the blade. Leads me to believe it is a real one? Someone along the line has painted it black but before it had one side grip replaced, sign of being in India maybe?

Made my day for sure!

 

[JP]

Yes it is real and probably saw Indian service also.

 

[AdrianM]

Sweet. That should clean up nice.

I'd like to have one for my No.5. Anyone know of any sources in Canada right now besides the EE?

 

[flying pig]

P&S now has one for sale

 

[RRCo.]

Yours looks right but it's always worth taking the grips off a No.5 bayonet and having a look at how the guard is attached. They made up some No.8 bayonets for the experimental SLR after WWII and tricky dicks used to take the guard off a No.7 (which was the same as on a No.5) and graft it onto the handle of the No8 which has the same socket as the No.5. The guards are attached by four lips or nubs of steel gouged out of the blade shank and pushed up against the guard. If those have been messed with it is obvious with the grips off, and you'll know you have a modified No.8 bayonet on your hands.

 

[flying pig]

Thanks for the heads up RRCo. Another point that might be of interest which I found from a member on another site, the No5 MkI designation is proper, there is an earlier type with one fastener screw on the grip panels and a later type with two. No5 MkII is not an official designation it is simply No5 MkI early type and later type