Hey gang,
Long description, I apologize:
Here is the last of the bayonets that I picked up in late August 2025. I won this in an eBay auction on August 31st, and it arrived a week later from Australia. This is a Pattern 1879 Artillery Sawback sword bayonet that was initially in British service, but was later sold out of service and sent to Australia for colonial use with the Martini-Henry Artillery Carbine Mk.I.
The seller was kind enough to provide some additional information regarding its history and the research he has done on the bayonet. He says that it was one of the 7,179 Pattern 1879s produced during the late 1882-early 1883 production run at R.S.A.F. Enfield, as evidenced by the "11/82" stamp on the scabbard. However, the bayonet has no date of manufacture on the Ricasso anymore, only the Victoria Regina cypher on the one side, and a WD stamp, Enfield inspection stamp, and a "sold out of service" stamp on the other side (I suspect the bayonet was mismatched with the scabbard). I would imagine the date stamp was removed when the SoS stamp was applied. The SoS stamp is likely where the DoM stamp used to be; however, I have carefully inspected the metal on both sides for any signs of grinding or removal, and it appears clean. Whoever removed the date stamp (obviously someone at R.S.A.F. Enfield) did a very professional job of it. From the War Department markings on the bayonet and scabbard, it was likely issued to a Royal Artillery Regiment before being sold out of service.
As R. J. Wilkinson-Latham describes in his book ‘British Military Bayonets’; “a new pattern was issued, that of 1879”. This was the Pattern 1879 Artillery Sawback Bayonet. He continues, “The handguard has a slot for a sword-knot. As a sword, it was of probable use to the gunners, but as a bayonet must have been completely impossible”. Skennerton in ‘Australian Service Bayonets’ reports that, “The year 1879 saw the introduction of the Martini-Henry Artillery Carbine and sword bayonet into British service, and consequently numbers were purchased [sometime in the mid-1890s] by the various Governments for service in Australia. This carbine and bayonet were also favoured by the Colonial Police forces, many remaining in service after Federation in 1901.” It is noted that some of these bayonets were still in use as late as 1914.
Other markings include the rack/armoury markings "G22" on the crossguard and "Broad Arrow under 136" on the scabbard's frog stud. These are likely British army. There are inspection markings on the tang, and what I believe to be the remains of a "condemned/downgraded" marking on the center of the tang, similar to this (what looks like two "R's" back-to-back, see 4th photo below):
![Image]()
I looked through Skennerton's BCB&FK and found one mention and image of the "condemned marking" on Page 164, when talking about a Pattern 1879 that had its sawteeth removed. If it is not this marking, then it is one of those miscellaneous proof markings that faded into the obscurities of history. Please feel free to correct or confirm this.
Overall, another beauty of a bayonet to add to the collection! This one absolutely commands my respect and admiration. If you'd like additional photos or more information, please feel free to let me know! Photos below:
![Image]()
![Image]()
![Image]()
![Image]()
![Image]()
![Image]()
Long description, I apologize:
Here is the last of the bayonets that I picked up in late August 2025. I won this in an eBay auction on August 31st, and it arrived a week later from Australia. This is a Pattern 1879 Artillery Sawback sword bayonet that was initially in British service, but was later sold out of service and sent to Australia for colonial use with the Martini-Henry Artillery Carbine Mk.I.
The seller was kind enough to provide some additional information regarding its history and the research he has done on the bayonet. He says that it was one of the 7,179 Pattern 1879s produced during the late 1882-early 1883 production run at R.S.A.F. Enfield, as evidenced by the "11/82" stamp on the scabbard. However, the bayonet has no date of manufacture on the Ricasso anymore, only the Victoria Regina cypher on the one side, and a WD stamp, Enfield inspection stamp, and a "sold out of service" stamp on the other side (I suspect the bayonet was mismatched with the scabbard). I would imagine the date stamp was removed when the SoS stamp was applied. The SoS stamp is likely where the DoM stamp used to be; however, I have carefully inspected the metal on both sides for any signs of grinding or removal, and it appears clean. Whoever removed the date stamp (obviously someone at R.S.A.F. Enfield) did a very professional job of it. From the War Department markings on the bayonet and scabbard, it was likely issued to a Royal Artillery Regiment before being sold out of service.
As R. J. Wilkinson-Latham describes in his book ‘British Military Bayonets’; “a new pattern was issued, that of 1879”. This was the Pattern 1879 Artillery Sawback Bayonet. He continues, “The handguard has a slot for a sword-knot. As a sword, it was of probable use to the gunners, but as a bayonet must have been completely impossible”. Skennerton in ‘Australian Service Bayonets’ reports that, “The year 1879 saw the introduction of the Martini-Henry Artillery Carbine and sword bayonet into British service, and consequently numbers were purchased [sometime in the mid-1890s] by the various Governments for service in Australia. This carbine and bayonet were also favoured by the Colonial Police forces, many remaining in service after Federation in 1901.” It is noted that some of these bayonets were still in use as late as 1914.
Other markings include the rack/armoury markings "G22" on the crossguard and "Broad Arrow under 136" on the scabbard's frog stud. These are likely British army. There are inspection markings on the tang, and what I believe to be the remains of a "condemned/downgraded" marking on the center of the tang, similar to this (what looks like two "R's" back-to-back, see 4th photo below):
I looked through Skennerton's BCB&FK and found one mention and image of the "condemned marking" on Page 164, when talking about a Pattern 1879 that had its sawteeth removed. If it is not this marking, then it is one of those miscellaneous proof markings that faded into the obscurities of history. Please feel free to correct or confirm this.
Overall, another beauty of a bayonet to add to the collection! This one absolutely commands my respect and admiration. If you'd like additional photos or more information, please feel free to let me know! Photos below:
