Martini Henry Shortened & Blunted Cadet Bayonet Steel Mounted Leather Scabbard. BAYO 372. Bayonets

The hilt with rivet retained press chequered leather scales 8see images for detailed condition* has release catch to the left side of the pommel and flat spring to the right. The tang struck with various military issue and inspection stamps. Barrel loop of the cross guard bushed to 20mm. The 13” fullered blade has been cut down from Yataghan Sword bayonet is struck to one side of the ricasso with a Broad Arrow WD mark below an X bending mark and Enfield inspection stamp above ’93 for conversion to Cadet bayonet in 1893. In its regulation pattern steel mounted black leather scabbard manufactured from a Yataghan bayonet scabbard by reducing its length to suit the short cadet bayonet. Originally these were bushed and re worked in service to fit on the new Martini Henry rifles and reissued with the new arms to the rifle regiments. Later when the Martini was replaced by the .303” Lee rifles the bayonets were shortened to 13” blades and with their suitably shortened scabbards issued with MkII Martini Henry cavalry carbines, made by shortening infantry rifles, to cadets, often with the barrel of the carbine saw cut at the knox form to prevent the discharge of live rounds. These bayonets saw service from the 1860’s right up to the Great War and after with cadet units and public schools officer cadet units. In good condition with good press chequered leather grips and a clean blade with no signs of sharpening along the edge in a good scabbard with all intact stitching and ‘39’ to the throat of the locket. The price for this rare Victorian British issue bayonet includes UK delivery. BAYO 372.