References are to:
British Commonwealth Bayonets and Fighting Knives (BCB) by Ian D. Skennerton & Brian Labudda, Labudda Research/Arms & Militaria Press, 2025.
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BRITISH 1888 BAYONET BLADES
A selection of the following bayonets are featured in my new book
The British 1888 Bayonet Blade
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#107
- A sound, clean example of a British P1888 Mk.I (second type), Wilkinson made, and dated 1898. The bayonet comes complete with an example of the scarce Volunteer scabbard with pigskin
covered wood body. For reference, see BCB, page 182.
ref: BCB - B213
Very Good condition
US$425.00
#336
- A fine example of an Enfield made P1888 Mk.I (second type) bayonet in as-issued condition, the blade retaining most of it's factory polish.
Complete with an Enfield produced Mk.I scabbard. The pommel bearing Canadian issue markings, 6 DCOR: The 6th. Regiment (Duke of Connaught's Own Rifles).
ref: BCB - B213
Excellent condition
US$325.00
#380
- A good British P1888 Mk.II sword bayonet produced by Wilkinson, and dated 1901.
The pommel stamped with unit marking: RE/4 ELGM/35 for the Royal Engineers 4th Electric Light Gillingham.
The Electric Light companies of the RE controlled search lights at harbours etc. Was No 4 Electric Light Company at Submarine Mining School at Gillingham? Gillingham has historically been
important in a naval context. Although the Dockyard is known as the Chatham Dockyard, due to the proximity of Gillingham to Chatham a large proportion of the site falls within the boundaries
of Gillingham. However, the military presence in Gillingham was not confined to the Navy: it also included the Kent Fortress (Royal Engineers) Submarine Mining School, which had its base in
Gillingham prior to the First World War, and the Brompton Barracks, built within the Brompton Lines to defend Chatham Dockyards.
ref: BCB - B215
Very Good condition
US$395.00
#441 - A scarce and desirable P1888 Mk.I (second type) made by Wilkinson, and retailed by John Rigby & Co. Founded in 1775, Rigby established themselves as the pre-eminent gunmaker in the UK. Catering to the Volunteer movement during the last years of the Victorian Empire, Rigby supplied Regiments with private-purchase rifles. Bayonets were cobbled together from a variety of contractors and rejected Ordnance pieces. Rigby applied their well known logo to the pommel, thus completing the required stand of rifle and bayonet. The bayonet comes complete with a Mk. I scabbard, and Volunteer Battalion's brown leather belt frog - '03 Bandoleer Equipment.
ref: BCB - pp178-180
Very Good condition
SOLD
#443
- A commercial P1888 Mk.I (second type) bayonet, retailed by gun-maker W. W. Greener of Birmingham. Similar to Rigby, Greener exploited the opportunity of supplying arms to the Volunteer movement,
and supplied the required bayonets from obsolete or rejected parts. In this instance, the bayonet was originally produced in the Ordnance system, but probably failed to make the required bend test
and was rejected. Note the X mark. Complete with a Mk. I scabbard.
ref: BCB - B218 - similar
Very Good condition
SOLD
#460
- A P1888 Mk.I (second type) bayonet in pristine condition. Essentially the same condition that it left the Wilkinson factory in 1896.
The blade displays all of the original factory finish, and the hilt and grips are as crisp as the day then were assembled. Complete with its Mk.,I scabbard, and General Service brown leather frog
by Hobson & Sons of London, fdated 1909.
ref: BCB - B218
Excellent Condition
SOLD
#481
- A P1888 Mk.II bayonet with a great history. With the Second Boer War just ended, the Colonial Government turned to England for supplies of arms. Produced at RSAF Enfield in December of 1902,
the bayonet was part of a consignment shipped to South Africa. Marked on the pommel 6.D.M.R., it was issued to the 15 Die Middellandse Regiment. Upon South Africa's entry in World War II,
the Middellandse Regiment got the opportunity to prove itself. Mobilisation orders was received on 5 September 1940. The regiment was assigned to the 9th Infantry Brigade and finally to the 2nd South African Division.
The regiment left for Egypt on board the Mauritania on 10 June, arriving in Suez on 22 June and then transported to Mareopolis. By the middle of August 1941, the regiment was transported to El Alamein.
The bayonet was latere reissued to the South African Police, and stamped accordingly on the pommel.
It comes complete with its Mk.I scabbard, and with a P1903 Bandoleer Equipment frog, stamped 'M' representing Military/Militere, and SAP for South African Police. The frog is also etched on the reverse with the
owners name and service number.
A piece of history worthy of further research.
ref: BCB - B215
Very Good Condition
US$560
#614
- A non-Ordnance P1888 Mk.I (second type) commercially made for Volunteer units. Totally unmarked with the exception of a three digit number stamped into the top edge of the blade,
and the initials C.C.C. deeply struck into the ricasso. Complete with a Mk. I scabbard and black leather belt frog (Carter #184).
ref: BCB - B218 (similar)
Good Condition
US$385.00
#676
- A Canadian issued P1893 bayonet and scabbard with matching numbers to the RRCI. For a fully detailed account, visit here.
This is an exceptionally fine quality example of these scarce bayonets.
ref: BCB - C3
Excellent Condition
US$2,650.00
#817
- A good clean example of a P1888 Mk.III bayonet by Sanderson of Sheffield and dated February 1903. Complete with a Mk.I scabbard and a General Service brown leather frog.
ref: BCB - B219
Very Good Condition
ON HOLD
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BRITISH YATAGHAN BLADE BAYONETS
Some of the following bayonets listed are featured in a comprehensive article on the subject which appeared in a 2022 issue of Caps & Flints
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#843
- A good example of a British 1st. Pattern 1853 yataghan blade sword bayonet. Brass grip and steel crossguard with the early swept back quillon. The muzzle ring inside diameter of 20.2mm and
recurved blade 577mm. The pommel stamped with issue rack numbers.
ref: BCB - B146
Good condition
US$485.00
#283
- A two-third size Volunteer sword bayonet. The crossguard and pommel cast in gunmetal, with checkered leather grips. Muzzle ring inside diasmeter 19.5mm, and the recurved yataghan blade length 471mm.
An image below shows the size of this bayonet in comparison with a full size example (not included in this lot!).
Made by Chavasse of Birmingham, their name indistinct but partially visible stamped into the ricasso. The rack number stamped into the end of the pommel.
These bayonets were intended to for the Volunteer version of the Enfield Short Rifle.
ref: BCB - B158 (the actual bayonet illustrated.)
Fair condition
US$395.00
#834
- A first pattern British P1853 yataghan blade Enfield Artillery Carbine sword bayonet. With a brass hilt and steel crossguard with swept forward quillon. With a muzzle ring inside diameter of 20.4mm and
recurved blade 563mm long impressed with knights head Solingen makers mark. The crossguard stamped with Royal Artillery Battery and rack number. Press catch missung.
ref: BCB - B147
Fair condition
US$295.00
#504
- A yataghan sword bayonet with a lug and short bat hilt fitting, heavily modified. The crossguard quillons have been removed,
and the blade reduced in width and length to 430mm. No markings other than rack numbers on the crossguard and pommel end.
Good condition
US$195
