British 1895 Pattern Socket Bayonet for the .303 Martini-Enfield, by Wilkinson 1912
Steel socket bayonet with triangular blade. Black leather Mk II scabbard with brass throat and chape pieces and two brass rivets to the leather section. Blade 21 5/8 inches (547mm) in length from the shoulder, the bayonet 25 inches overall (635mm), muzzle ring diameter 16.5mm.
The blade is marked at the ricasso on the broadest side with a broad arrow War Department stores mark, the maker’s mark ‘WSC’ for the Wilkinson Sword Company, a crown inspection mark with ‘E’ for Enfield, the date 2 ‘12 indicating that it was converted in February 1912, and two broad arrows point to point, indicating equipment that was declared obsolete or to be sold off.
The narrower lower sides of the blade are also stamped, one with the number ‘30’, this being cancelled with a strikethrough, and the other with non-English script markings, possibly serial numbers, one of these also being cancelled.
The 1895 Pattern socket bayonet was produced by converting existing stocks of the 1876 Pattern. It was intended to fit to the Martini-Enfield, which was itself a conversion of existing Martini-Henry rifles to accept the new .303 British cartridge. This required the bayonets to be bushed to fit a smaller diameter barrel and their sockets remodelled to mount the blade below the barrel instead of to the side.
The conversion stamps seen on this bayonet are unusual: the Royal Small Arms Factory at Enfield is usually listed as the sole site for production of the 1895 Pattern, with conversion work taking place there between 1895 and 1902. However, Graham Priest writes that Wilkinson also performed some conversions (see Socket Bayonets, page 72). Nonetheless the clearly marked date of 1912 is remarkably late for conversion to have still been taking place, though the non-English script markings on this example may suggest that it was done for Commonwealth service (perhaps India or Nepal?).
The Martini-Enfield hung around for many years after its official replacement since the .303 round remained current and readily available. It was in service in some capacity in New Zealand and India through WW1 and beyond, was widely seen in the Middle East, was used by South African cadet forces until the mid-20th century, and in Britain some remained stored in armouries long enough to be issued to Home Guard units in WW2.
The blade is clean and bright with only a few patches of very light patination. The socket retains almost all of its blued finish. A few small dents and scratches to the scabbard fittings, which have a moderate patina, and similarly some rubbing and dents to the leather section. All of its stitching is intact.
