Capt.Case Posted July 18, 2020 Share #1 Posted July 18, 2020 Hello , just picked up this bayonet at a flea market and have searched the internet with no success . Was wondering if anyone knows what is goes on and what Country. It has a heavy solid metal handle. It measures 11 3/8" long overall and has a 6 1/2" inch blade. Blade is blued and double edge. Handle is painted an OD green. I see no markings on it. Thank you, Capt. Case Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bob Hudson Posted July 18, 2020 Share #2 Posted July 18, 2020 Interesting.... such a short blade. I lightened up your photos for a better view: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Capt.Case Posted July 19, 2020 Author Share #3 Posted July 19, 2020 Thank you, hoping someone knows what it is. I wonder if it goes on a sub-machine gun? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
qed4 Posted July 20, 2020 Share #4 Posted July 20, 2020 It is Australian for the experimental Austen submachine gun of WWII. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Capt.Case Posted July 20, 2020 Author Share #5 Posted July 20, 2020 Thank you very much. I could not find it in any of my books probably because it was only experimental. I will do some more research now that you have identified it for me. Thanks again! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bob Hudson Posted July 20, 2020 Share #6 Posted July 20, 2020 This says only about 200 were made! https://aboutweapons.ru/australian-experimental-bayonet-knife-for-the-austen-mk-ii-submachine-gun/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Capt.Case Posted July 20, 2020 Author Share #7 Posted July 20, 2020 Wow! Thank Bob, who would have known. I stumbled upon it at a flea market over the weekend and liked the feel. Since I never saw one before I bought it. Kudo's to member qed4 for knowing what it is. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bob Hudson Posted July 20, 2020 Share #8 Posted July 20, 2020 3 minutes ago, Capt.Case said: Kudo's to member qed4 for knowing what it is Yes - that's an obscure bit of information. I looked through worthpoint.com for sales of these, but could not find any, which is not surprising. I found this which shows that there were only 200 of the guns produced, so maybe there were eveb fewer bayonets: "This gun is the experimental Mk II trials pattern, of which around 200 were produced in 1942. It features a two-piece receiver - a fluted extension of which replaces the Sten-type barrel nut of the Mk I. It also has a bayonet lug and a unique combat-knife bayonet was created for use with it." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Capt.Case Posted July 20, 2020 Author Share #9 Posted July 20, 2020 Great to know. I wonder if the bayonet was made by the same maker as the gun. I see no markings on it. Thanks for checking worthpoint. Who could say about the value, I guess the person with the gun would really be the one to want it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bob Hudson Posted July 20, 2020 Share #10 Posted July 20, 2020 This is for the Austen Mk II which was produced too late for WWII service: it was adopted AND declared obsolete at the same time. It has the bayonet lug which the Mk I did not:: Here's a video about the Austen SMG - it's from the Royal Armouries National Firearms Centre collection but they don't have the bayonet. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Capt.Case Posted July 20, 2020 Author Share #11 Posted July 20, 2020 Just watched it, very informative. Thanks for sharing it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mikie Posted July 21, 2020 Share #12 Posted July 21, 2020 Looks like you hit a flea market home run. Congrats on a great find. Mikie Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Capt.Case Posted July 21, 2020 Author Share #13 Posted July 21, 2020 Sure does look that way! Thank you Mikie. Just need to find someone who owns the gun and wants the bayonet to go with it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rick Posted June 30, 2021 Share #14 Posted June 30, 2021 G.day Capt Case, I know a military museum in Australia who would be very interested in the Austen bayonet if it is still available Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Capt.Case Posted February 26, 2022 Author Share #15 Posted February 26, 2022 Hello Rick, I am just now seeing your post as I have not been on the site in a long time. Yes I do still have the bayonet. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rick Posted February 26, 2022 Share #16 Posted February 26, 2022 Great news, have you placed a value on it? Rick Landers Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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