Australian M 1907 bayonet. Early model by Lithgow with early scabbard.(ABCN1025-1)(K0)(JN4-1)
British M 1907 SMLE MKIII rifle. Rifle number: A over 60636 on the right side of the pommel. Excellent + blued fullered blade with A in a star over 1907 in a shield, date: 5 '20 and LITHGOW, in three rows on the ricasso. Reverse side shows Australian inspection markings: A in a star - bend mark and another A in a star. /I\ star over III. Excellent blued pommel. MRD 16,5 mm. No oil hole in pommel. Excellent Queensland maple wooden grips secured by screw bolts.
Excellent and correct rare early Australian black leather scabbard. Top mount with a typical small round frog stud. The rim of the throat is very fine unit marked: 3 MD 68447 ( = Military District 3, Victoria.). No pitting and no dents. All stitches intact. No markings to the leather body.
Australia started production of M 1907 bayonets in June 1913 at the Lithgow Arsenal (NSW). Bayonets with the hooked quillon were produced only between 1913 and 1915. Production without a quillion was from 1915 till 1927 at Lithgow. Production at Lithgow stopped in 1927 and was continued late 1940. In July 1942 the production moved from Lithgow to the Orange Arsenal (OA). The production stopt in 1945
Very nice early example!