Original Item: Only One Available. Recently purchased at a military auction, this is an interesting Australian manufactured P-1907 Bayonet for the No.1 MkIII Enfield rifle, often called the SHT.LE, SMLE, S.M.L.E., "Smelly" etc. This example was produced in Australia during WWII, with an original blade length of 17 inches. The Japanese forces in the Pacific still used longer bayonets, so the British, like the U.S. forces, kept the longer bayonets.
 
The blade markings on this example are still mostly visible, with MA / 1907 / I above a 3 ' 43 date on the ricasso. "MA" is the maker mark for Mangrovite Arsenal in Australia, and the bayonet was made in April 1943. The other side is marked with the British "Broad Arrow" proof over a large X blade bending mark next to O.
 
The pommel of this bayonet shows it was matched to a rifle and is marked D/30503. There is an "R" on the hilt spine of this example, so it does appear to have been refurbished for use in the 1950s. Blade condition is good, almost unissued condition. The grips are in very good condition, with a nice color and are stamped SLAZ/55 for being produced in 1955.
 
The bayonet comes in a WWII Australian Number 1 Type II brown leather scabbard, manufactured in 1944 and in excellent condition. The scabbard locket and chape retain most of their original phosphate finish. The leather body of the scabbard is stamped MANGROVITE ‘44 and (Arrow B) over W, locket and chape stamped OA.  Sydney-area tannery, Mangrovite Belting Pty. Ltd. was in operation from 1913 until the 1990s.

This is a great chance to get an original Australian bayonet to complement a Lithgow-manufactured SMLE, or to complete an SMLE bayonet collection. Bayonets such as this do not turn up often at all.
 
Specifications:
Blade Length: 17"
Blade Style: Single Edge with Fuller
Overall length: 21 3/4"
Crossguard: 2 1/2”
Scabbard Length: 17 1/2"
 
History of the P-1907 Bayonet
The Pattern 1907 bayonet replaced the earlier P-1903 bayonet, which was a double edged bayonet based on the P-1888 bayonet of the Lee-Metford rifle. The P-1903 had been developed for the "Long" Magazine Lee-Enfield, which was 49.6 inches in overall length. With the introduction of the Short Magazine Lee-Enfield in 1904, the 12 inch bayonet was no longer considered long enough for the 44.6 inch SMLE, so the 17 inch bladed 1907 was developed.

In it's original form, the P-1907 had a hooked guard (quillon), which was then removed from the pattern in early WWI due to the questionable use and increased production time. Unlike the 1903, the 1907 had a single edged blade that was less wide, but made of thicker stock.