British L1A4 Bayonet by Hopkinson, Chromed Parade Order
Straight single fullered blade with clipped Bowie point. Steel hilt with muzzle ring, black painted sheet steel slab grips secured by two rivets around concealed tang. Steel pommel riveted to the tang, with locking button. Steel scabbard with round frog stud. Black rubber frog with buckled retaining strap.
The pommel is stamped with ‘C’ within a square on one side and ‘H’ within a square on the other. The grips are stamped on one side with ‘L.1.A.4. 9600259 S.M.’, L1A4 being the model number, 9600259 being the NATO item number for the L1A4 bayonet, and S.M. being the manufacturer code for Hopkinson. The blade is stamped at the ricasso on one side with an indistinct mark, obscured by the chrome. The scabbard is stamped at the throat above the frog stud with a broad arrow War Department stamp.
The L1A4 bayonet for the SLR rifle was sealed as a pattern in 1958 but not actually produced until the 1970s by the firm Hopkinson based in Sheffield. It has some minor simplifications in construction compared to its predecessor the L1A3.
This example has had the metal parts of both bayonet & scabbard chromed to be worn on parade and is paired with the correct glossy black frog that would also have been worn.
The bayonet’s chromed finish is in good condition with a few spots of wear around the muzzle ring, in the recesses for the grip rivets & locking button, and on the scabbard body. Some small dents to a grip scale on one side. The tip of the blade is missing, this was probably deliberately blunted to make it safer for parade handling. No damage to the edge. One significant dent to the scabbard on the reverse side, with some pitting to the recesses of the dent – this does not interfere with sheathing and drawing. A screw near the throat of the scabbard is missing. The frog’s rubber retaining strap is broken where it should thread into the buckle – the scabbard stays in place anyway due to the rigidity and friction of the rubber but the strap cannot be done up to secure it.
