BRITISH LEE METFORD BAYONET MODEL 1888 MKII MADE IN MARCH 1902 (STAMP 3 02 IS THE DATE) AND ISSUED BY BRITISH IN ANGLO BOER WAR

A BRITISH PATTERN 1888 MKII LEE METFORD RIFLE BAYONET MADE BY THE WILKINSON SWORD COMPANY LONDON IN MARCH 1902 (STAMP 3 02 IS THE DATE) MAKING IT A ANGLO BOER WAR ERA ISSUED BAYONET. THE BOER WAR LASTED FROM 11 OCTOBER 1899 TO 31 MAY 1902.
 
PRODUCTION OF THE MKII PATTERN 1888 BAYONET TOTALLED LESS THAN HALF THAT OF THE MK I TYPE II MAKING IT HARDER TO FIND THESE DAYS AND HIGHLY COLLECTABLE.
 
THE DOUBLE-EDGED BLADE IS MARKED ON THE RICASSO (PART OF BLADE CLOSEST TO HILT) WITH THE CROWN ABOVE ER OF KING EDWARD VII AND THE PRODUCTION DATE 302 (MARCH 1902). THE WILKINSON MAKERS NAME IS STAMPED AT THE BASE OF THE RICASSO.
 
THE OBSERVE RICASSO IS MARKED WITH THE WAR DEPARTMENTS ARROW (BROAD LOOKING ARROW), THE WILKINSON FACTORY INSPECTION MARKS (35 W) AND THE X BEND TEST STAMP.
 
MARKS WHEN THE BAYONET WAS REISSUED AFTER BEING STORED CAN ALSO BE SEEN ON THE RICASSO. THERE APPEARS TO BE THE STAMPS 24 AND 35 WHICH WOULD SUGGEST THIS BAYONET WAS REISSUED IN 1924 AND 1935.
 
IT HAS A WOODEN GRIP WITH TWO METAL RIVETS AND AN OIL HOLE ON THE POMMEL.
 
DIFFERENCES BETWEEN 1888 MK I AND MK II:
MK I TYPE I: HAD 3 BRASS RIVETS 2 SMALLER NEXT TO EACH OTHER AND ONE LARGER.
MK I TYPE II: HAD TWO LARGE BRASS RIVETS AND AN OIL HOLE BESIDE THE TOP RIVET.
MK II: HAVE TWO STEEL RIVETS INSTEAD OF BRASS AND MOVED THE OIL HOLE BACK TO THE METAL POMMEL.
IN 1903 THE PATTERN 1888 WAS REPLACED WITH THE 1903 BAYONET.
 
SIZE BAYONET 42CM BLADE 307MM
CONDITION: SOME STAINS ON BLADE AND GUARD AND SURFACE RUST ON POMMEL PLEASE SEE PHOTOS. THE LEATHER SCABBARD IS MISSING.