The converted L1A1 bayonets are usually marked 0257 on the pommel under the mortice slot,the general opinion on these is decent blade,hilt a bit small if you have big hands.i have always liked the Aussie ones for the chunky blade.oh,and the Indian version uses the same grips as the No5 bayonet.
Love this bayonet, very classic look imo. They have become increasingly hard to find in the UK and also stupidly expensive in the last few years for some reason. Used to be able to pick up good examples for around £70, now I see even bad examples sell for as high as £300 in some places, which is crazy! Considering you can still get WW1 P1907s for less than £130, which have allot more history to them than an L1A3, it really does boggle the mind.
I have a L1A4 made by Hopkinson with L.1.A.4. 9600259 S.M. on the handle (on one side). And another L1A4 made by Hopkinson with S.M. H 9602379 on the handle (on both sides). So there seem to be 2 different Nato stock numbers for the L1A4.
Sorry to be a pedant but the 8th letter of the alphabet is actually pronounced 'aitch' and not 'haitch'. Check in any dictionary. Nice video by the way, I just acquired an Enfield L1A3 bayonet with scabbard and I'm interested in learning about the markings on both. Also interested in how the spring works inside the scabbard that kind of locks the blade in.
