South African No 4 MK1 Bayonet leather securing tab.
The 1937 pattern bayonet frog had been designed to carry the long sword bayonet of the SMLE in its leather scabbard. When the short No.4 ‘pigsticker’ type bayonet was introduced along with its tubular metal scabbard it was discovered that the scabbard was prone to slipping out from the frog and bayonets could be lost. Although the webbing would be modified to work better with the new bayonet and its scabbard, a short term expedient was needed to allow the new bayonet to be carried in the existing frog.
The ‘Tab, securing, bayonet, No.4, Mk I’ was adopted on 26th July 1940. This was threaded over the boss on the bayonet scabbard before it was slotted into the frog. When the bayonet was inserted in the frog, the tab was folded over the top of the uppermost webbing loop and secured to the boss with the brass eyelet. This held tension on the scabbard and prevented it working loose.
The tab measures 4.75 in. (120 mm.) long by 0.8125 in. (21 mm.) wide.
The the leather tab, as shown in the first two photos. Other photos are shown to demonstrate how it was used.
Please note, due to the Covid-19 lockdown the South African Post Office is not accepting parcels to some countries yet. Please check with me to see whether I can post to your country at this time, before bidding.
Overseas collectors, Registered Air Mail postage and packaging will cost R100.00
Payment must be made within 3 days of the close of the auction. If you are unable to make payment within 3 days then please don't bid.
I ship worldwide and am happy to combine items won into 1 parcel to save on postage.
Barring any unforeseen circumstances, items won will be posted the first Wednesday morning after payment has cleared. Best to pay by Tuesday to avoid any delay in posting.
American collectors, please note that the U.S. Post Office stopped tracking our Registered Mail parcels a couple of years ago, they are only tracked by the S.A. Post Office up to the time they are placed in the bag for air shipment.
The South African Post Office does not insure parcels to all countries and only registers items up to a certain size and weight.
There is a maximum Insured amount for each country, please check with me if you want to find out the maximum for your country.
If a parcel is lost the Post Office will only pay out for Insured items, but does not cover the postage, just the declared value of the parcel.
Thanks for looking.
James D.N. MacKenzie
Southern Africa Militaria
