INDIA

State Yataghan, based on the UK 1856

has wooden chequered rather than the compressed leather grips of the UK models

Completely devoid of markings

Crude brazing on tang to pommel joint. Identification is tentative based on quality of the manufacture and the general style of the piece, dimensions are similar to but not identical to the UK Yataghan

UK 1903 in a rare Indian pattern scabbard

Scabbard has loops top and bottom to take straps for helve carrier

Is the 15 the manufacture date?

Pommel unit marks indicate bayonet was issued to  Ghurkha Rifle regiment

1903 Enfield made 1903

Could this be a Mk IV or V, the hilt is a MkIII, the blade a MkII* but the blade is shorter with a false edge

Frog is doubled over, to produce a shorter mount

False edge on shortened blade

India 1907 made by RFI in 1919

crossed out ALL marking on pommel

Indian inspection marks

RFI makers mark

RIAF marked 1907, Royal Indian Air Force only existed for a couple of years pre independence and post WWII

Grip markings on RIAF marked 1907 with sold from service mark on pommel, blade came in WWII made UK scabbard.

P13 bayonet

Bayonet has had a false edge ground onto the blade point. Ricasso has the * mark added as per the 1907's

Wilkinson made 1907 in Indian brass mounted scabbard

Locket and Chape were both Brass made rather than the steel of the normal 1907 scabbard

1956 marked rework of a Wilkinson 1907, converted into a MkI**

FR 56 mark shows last work to have been carried out in 1956

Original makers marks are still visible on ricasso

No1 MkI* with added false edge

Ricasso marks

Added false edge, showing the way the fullers extend through the point of the blade, due to the blade being shortened from 17" to 12.2"

Shortened GRI* marked for Drill purposes,

Ricasso stamps

MkIII

Previously unrecorded in the books a MIL made MKII without a false edge.

NWR made No1 MkII

No1 MkII made by North West Railways 

No1 MkII* made by MIL

No1 MkII* by MIL

MkIII without a false edge based on an RFI made MkII blade. Distinctive MkIII pommel is used as decider on bayonet designation

SLR bayonet with long bowie blade

RFI made in 1985

Has wooden wrap around grips rather than the plastic ones used by the UK

Comparison of blade lengths between normal (upper) and long bowie blade. Comparison is with UK No8 but blade is common to SLR, No9 and N07 bayonets

No4 made by the Northern Irish Baird company, the crown over IG is for Indian Government acceptance

Baird marking

Cancelled serial or is it an Indian serial

thanks to Michael Curran for pointing out the IG mark

INSAS AKM, of note is the very poor finish of this blade compared to western standards (and even the normal Eastern block finish)