Approximately 200,000 No. 9 Mk. I bayonets were produced at the Royal Ordinance Factory, Poole, from 1947–1949. The Poole bayonets are the earliest documented production of the No. 9 Mk. I bayonet. Poole's maker mark is a letter "P" inside a circle, followed by the year of manufacture. The example pictured was made at ROF Poole in 1949.
Production was transferred to the Royal Small Arms Factory, Enfield in 1949. 366,902 No. 9 Mk. I bayonets were made at RSAF Enfield between 1949–1956, with an additional 10,000 produced in 1962. The Enfield maker mark is a superimposed "ED", followed by a two-digit year of manufacture. The bayonet pictured below was made at RSAF Enfield in 1954.
The "PF" serialized No. 9 Mk. I bayonets were packed with post-war Lee-Enfield No. 4 rifles produced at the ROF Fazakerly for export to foreign countries. The PF number corresponds to the rifle's serial number. This example's serial number is part of the Irish Contract for No. 4 Mk. II rifles that was never delivered.
Britain—Private Contractors
In addition to ROF Poole and RSAF Enfield, three private firms are believed to have manufactured small quantities of the No. 9 Mk. I bayonet. The bayonets are marked on the ledge, with the maker's dispersal code and the broad arrow. Some have a single letter on the blade, near the socket join (viewer's mark?). The makers are believed to be:
• G. Buggins & Co. Ltd. of Redditch.
• Francis & Barnett Ltd. of Coventry.
• Byfords Ltd. of West Bromwitch.
Little is known of this production. The use of dispersal codes suggests manufacture likely occurred early in the post-war period, perhaps even prior to production commencing at ROF Poole. However, this is speculation, as no documentation of this production exists.
The bayonet pictured was made by Francis & Barnett Ltd. The finish quality is not up to the standard of the government factories. Francis & Barnett manufactured motorcycles that were affectionately known as the "Fanny-B". These bayonets were very rare, with only a handful of known examples. However, they began turning up with some regularity, beginning in 2011. Still a scarce bayonet.
The bayonet pictured was made by Byfords Ltd. The quality and finish is poor, not nearly as good as the Francis & Barnett bayonet pictured above. Almost nothing is known about Byfords. Only a few examples are known.
This is the only known No. 9 Mk. I bayonet bearing the dispersal codes of both Francis & Barnett and Byfords Ltd. This bayonet is crudely made, cruder than any other No. 9 Mk. I bayonet that I have observed. The socket has rough forging marks, much like some wartime No. 4 Mk. II* sockets used by Prince-Smith. The blade is both pinned and (rather sloppily) brazed to the socket. The existence of this example is a complete mystery. Perhaps, it is a prototype or pattern. Hopefully further research findings will reveal its significance.
© Ralph E. Cobb 2010 All Rights Reserved
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