On offer is a unique antique 1st World War Sanderson 1907 Bayonet to the 1st Battalion of the Royal Welsh Fusiliers. It's uniqueness is that it does not have the relief/clearing hole. This hole was drilled laterally through the pommel of the bayonet to keep the locking mechanism/channel clear of mud and other debris. This makes it rare !- " A leading write up on the P07 states as follows " The other significant change we see with the P07 was a clearance hole introduction in early 1916 with bayonets returned for service modified to reflect this change. Again it is difficult to gauge the numbers of P07's that have not been altered with a clearance hole, is fair to assume that a minor number of P07 without the clearance holes are in the collectable market and adds value, rarity and intrigue to the display."
Production levels up to 1911 for the P07 bayonet indicates estimates of:
- R.S.A.F. Enfield (EFD / ENFIELD) - 175,000
- Wilkinson Sword Co. (WILKINSON) - 25,500
- Sanderson Bros. & Neubold (SANDERSON) - 22,500
- James A Chapman Ltd (JAC / CHAPMAN) - 14,200
- Robert Mole & Son (MOLE) - 13,300
Locking mechanism is functional.
Length 55cm
Blade length 43 cm
Shipping price will differ due to the weight exceeding 300 grams.
The 1st BN Royal Welsh Fusiliers took part in an attack near Delville wood towards Guillemont and Ginchy. The Commander's diary, Lt-Col Stockwell records for 3rd September 1916;
"4.30pm Message from Lt Findlay to say he is dug in with about 30 men opposite Hop trench and about 40 yards from it. Enemy pressing.
Later message from LT Cartwright that he is in a trench with the Warwicks (regiment), but does not know its name. Closely engaged. Very few of our men.....91st [brigade (on the left] Bombing officer came in and said his men would not stand, and enemy were pressing into Delville wood. Pushed up Warwicks and reserve bombers to take over...
6pm...The situation in Delville wood is serious and there is no one to keep the Boche out - the brigade on our left did nothing and are very shaken. Seized all available men of all my battalions and on my own responsibility pushed them up to hold the line of Delville wood and prevent penetration.
9pm. Divisional General orders us to be relieved and to move with all men we have and take Ginchy, which he says is unoccupied....I have no men left. We can, when relieved, muster [from four battalions] about 120 men and four colonels - it is madness.
After two days fighting, the 1st battalion came out of the line. There were only 42 men in the rifle companies, but later, when men trapped in no-mans land had been recovered, the casualties were found to amount to 249, more than half their strength.
Extract from That Astonishing Infantry The history of the Royal Welsh Fusiliers 1689-2006 by M. Glover & J.P.Riley p136.
All my items are posted registered airmail with a track and trace number
Multiple items from other bids up to a combined maximum of 300 grams (local and 100 grams (overseas) will not be charged extra
Once your item arrives in satisfactory condition, please leave feedback for me. If there are any problems please do not hesitate to contact me.
My sincere apologies to my Canadian buyers- I am no longer able to ship to Canada to due to the loss of a number of items sent via Registered Post to the Ontario and Nova Scotia areas. Canada Post does not pay compensation for losses hence items from South Africa to Canada cannot be insured.
