EXTREMELY RARE ONE OF ONLY 3,412**Original WW2 Australian WD Paratrooper’s Mark 1 Machete Bayonet For No.1 Rifles With ‘Slaz 43’ (Slazenger 1943 Grips) & 1944 Dated Scabbard By RML Ltd. Sn 22960 Bayonet

**EXTREMELY RARE ONE OF ONLY 3,412**Original WW2 Australian WD Paratrooper’s Mark 1 Machete Bayonet For No.1 Rifles With ‘Slaz 43’ (Slazenger 1943 Grips) & 1944 Dated Scabbard By RML Ltd. Sn 22960 - 22960

On 3rd April 1944 a special bayonet was approved for Parachutists being intended as a dual purpose bayonet and machete, for use with the No. 1 Rifle. Initially it was introduced as the 'P' (Parachutists) bayonet but when use became more widespread it's nomenclature was changed to Machete Bayonet MK 1. Only 3,412 of these bayonets were made and serial numbers between 3001 and 6412 have been seen (see pages 284-286 of British & Commonwealth Bayonets By Skennerton. Plate A24 on page 285 of the author’s book illustrates one of these bayonets). The bayonet was popular with Elite Jungle fighting Troops / Parachutists until introduction of the MKII variant with composite grip in 1945. This is an excellent, original, example of the extremely rare Australian made MK 1 Machete Bayonet. It has a distinctive 11 ¼” richly blued heavy Machete style blade (16" overall). The blade has a small 'War Dept arrow' on one side and no other markings. The cross guard muzzle ring and wood slab grips are undamaged. One wood grip is stamped by the Manufacturer 'SLAZ 43' which is the Australian manufacturer Slazenger and 1943 date. The right side of the pommel is crisply stamped with serial number '4089' which is in the serial number range for MK 1 production. The bayonet is complete with its original webbing and canvas scabbard with copper rivets and steel mouthpiece. The scabbard has integral webbing belt loops and webbing retaining strap with single brass stud fastener. The rear of the scabbard is ink stamped with maker mark ‘RML Ltd’ and '1944' date. The price for this excellent extremely rare Bayonet and Scabbard includes UK delivery. Sn 22960 (other countries box 3)

£1,275.00