Australian Aybrid ‘Owen’ S.M.G. Bayonet and Scabbard. BAYO 769. Bayonets

Early in 1944, 100 shortened, lightened No 1 rifles were produced at Lithgow (The Lithgow Small Arms Factory, or Lithgow Arms, is an Australian small arms manufacturing factory located in the town of Lithgow, New South Wales. It was created by the Australian Government in 1912 to ease reliance on the British for the supply of defence materials.) for the army, along with bayonets. The shortened, lightened No 1 was really only the standard No 1 rifle reduced in length with a modified sight, and so the bayonet was merely a shortened No 1. The blade of this bayonet is marked ‘M.A. (Lithgow) ‘1907’ and ‘11’44’ (November 1944) The other side carries the broad arrow and ‘O.A.’ (Orange Arsenal). Blade length: 250mm and doesn’t appear to have been re sharpened. Overall length: 375 mm. The scabbard carries the ‘O.A.’ mark and ‘Mangrovite 44’. The furniture is in good condition and the stitching on the thick leather scabbard is intact. The wooden grips are held with two screws and are showing signs of age related wear above the cross guard which has a small muzzle ring. See Skennerton pages 278/279, A13. The price includes UK delivery. BAYO 769.