RARE WW1 ISSUED SOUTH AFRICAN 303 RIFLE BAYONET SCABBARD SWORD ARMY WW2 REISSUED

Offered is an original 1917 dated First World War 1907 pattern bayonet with scabbard, which saw service with the South African forces.

Bayonet & scabbard features steel fittings, including pommel (Stamped U for SA service and CFNT. T.D. 266) & a working release button,  wooden grips and metal guard. The 43 cm long steel blade shows the ‘blood groove’ to the centre of each side of the blade, being dated May 1917. The blades factory sharpened, with end tip cut. I cannot find a maker mark on the blade, as the original bluing has covered this over, along with the bottom half of the date stamps.

Standard leather & metal WW1 issued scabbard, with teardrop metal frog button, with WW2 canvas frog, showing stains and issue stamps to rear.

Overall length: 58cm long. A good used example of a WW1 bayonet, as used with the classic Short Magazine Lee–Enfield No. 1 Mk. III service rifle, which would have been re-issued for service during the Second World War. It is rare to see South African issue bayonets, this being one of only a handful I've come across.