Description
Physical description
Pommel form: kidney-shaped with flat end housing a broad and very deep T-shaped attachment slot which, contrary to all previous practice, runs along the underside. The Mark 1* Lee-Enfield did not have a clearing rod thus the circular section attachment slot extension was no longer required. Raised end of the pommel's back is recessed to form a shallow groove designed to fit alongside the rifle's barrel. A small slotted press stud, high on left side, operates locking catch via an internal coiled spring. A cleaning hole is positioned in the pommel (running transversely through pommel at end of attachment slot). Pommel meets grips vertically.
Grips form: two-piece wood retained by two widely spaced flush-ground brass rivets with washers. Convex grips with both back and underside rounded and straight.
Crossguard form: short straight crosspiece, lower guard extends approximately 19 mm below blade and terminates in small flat disc finial swept towards blade. Upper guard formed into broad full muzzle ring, the rear of which is slightly stepped as it meets hilt back.
Blade form: double-edged, tapering slightly to narrow spear point. A wide medial rib extends the full length of the blade.
Bayonet finish (all metal parts): plated (nickel or chrome).
History note
Stamped marks on pommel possibly refer to the Hampshire Imperial Yeomanry, the unit badge of which utilised the text 'Imperial Yeomanry Carabiniers'.
Inscription
I Y C 10296 (stamped on pommel, right side)
Inscription
faint and incomplete overstamping including O / V / U / G (stamped on tang, underside, near guard)
Inscription
broad arrow / crowned S over 25 / X / two Rs back to back (stamped on blade, right ricasso)
Inscription
3.00 / SANDERSON, SHEFFIELD (stamped on blade, in two lines, left ricasso)
Inscription
crowned S over 76 / crowned S over 35 (stamped on blade back, near guard)