An authentic, World War I-era British Pattern 1907 (P1907) Sword Bayonet complete with its original steel-mounted leather scabbard. Designed for use with the iconic Short Magazine Lee-Enfield (SMLE) No. 1 Mk III rifle, this quintessential Great War artifact features a 17-inch single-edged blade with a deep fuller, a hooked clearance hole in the pommel, and original walnut grip scales. Manufactured in the spring of 1915, this specimen carries a fantastic array of crisp British military proof marks and acceptance stamps.
### Technical Specifications
Model: Pattern 1907 (P1907) Sword Bayonet
Country of Origin: United Kingdom
Rifle Compatibility: Short Magazine Lee-Enfield (SMLE) No. 1 Mk III
Blade Production Date: May 1915 (5 '15)
Overall Length: Approx. 21.75 inches
Blade Length: Approx. 17 inches
### Detailed Condition & Marking Analysis
#### 1. Blade Ricasso (Right Side / Proof Marks)
Government Acceptance: Deep, clear Broad Arrow (\uparrow) stamp indicating official British War Department ownership.
Proof & Inspection Marks: Crown over inspection codes (Enfield inspection stamps) are clearly struck.
Proof Test: Features a crisp, prominent 'X' bend-test mark, confirming the blade passed rigorous factory structural testing.
#### 2. Blade Ricasso (Left Side / Maker Marks)
Date Stamp: Clearly struck 5 '15 denoting production in May 1915, placing its manufacture right during the high-demand period of the First World War.
Royal Cypher: Faint Royal Cypher stamp above the production numbers.
#### 3. Hilt & Grips
Grip Scales: Original contoured wood slab grips. The wood exhibits authentic field wear with honest handling marks, bruising, and minor oxidation around the two standard slotted bolt fasteners.
Mechanism: The push-button locking mechanism and spring on the pommel remain intact and functional.
#### 4. Scabbard
Construction: Standard First/Second World War pattern featuring a dark brown leather body with a steel top mount (with teardrop frog stud) and steel chape.
Markings: The leather reverse features original stitched seam details and faint Commonwealth manufacturer markings (resembling Australian WWII-era refurbishment stamps, including a faint Mangrovite '44 profile), indicating historical reissue and extended service life. The leather remains stiff, intact, and securely stitched.
### Condition Summary
Good / Very Fine (Service-Worn Vintage). The blade retains a smooth, honest dark patina with minimal pitting and clean, unmarred edges. The markings remain exceptionally legible for a piece that saw wartime distribution. A highly collectible, structurally sound example of WWI British military history.