Britain Royal Ordnance Factory, Poole P1949 Bayonet with Scabbard

The No. 9 Mk. I bayonet has an interesting history. It represents the culmination of a post-war desire to replace the No. 4 spike bayonet. The first attempt to do so resulted in the innovative No. 7 Mk. I/L bayonet. With the War Department's decision not to issue the No. 7 Mk. I/L bayonet with the .303 caliber Lee-Enfield No. 4 rifle, there remained a strong desire to replace the No. 4 spike bayonet. Compared to the elaborate No. 7 Mk. I/L, he No. 9 Mk. I was a much simpler, utilitarian affair, with a sturdy socket pinned to the clip-point blade of the No. 5 Mk. I bayonet. Because the No. 9 Mk. I blade was closely patterned on the No. 5 Mk. I bayonet, the No. 5 scabbard was retained for use with the No. 9 Mk. I bayonet. Production commenced in 1947, even before the No. 9 Mk. I was officially approved. (They couldn't off the No. 4 Spike soon enough!). Indigenous versions of the No. 9 bayonet were also produced in Pakistan and South Africa.