British No.4 spike bayonet. Most likely later war, crudely made. Worn condition. Additional Notes: The British No. 4 spike bayonet was the result of a 20-year series of studies, experiments, and troop trials seeking to find a lighter, handier substitute for the venerable Pattern 1907 bayonet. As interest in replacing the No. I Mk. III rifle also began to take hold, different mounting systems were tried. These included a number of folding bayonets intended to remain fixed to the rifle. Although some knife bayonet designs were considered, most types submitted utilized a cruciform blade. Although touted as having many advantages over the Pattern 1907, the No. 4 Mk. I bayonet was a throwback. With the exception of Russia, socket bayonets had long gone out of fashion in modern armies. Approved in November 1939, along with the Lee-Enfield No. 4 Mk. I rifle, the No. 4 Mk. I bayonet was short, light, sturdy, and unappealing. Since the Government arms factories were already running at capacity producing rifles and machine guns, private contracts were let for bayonet production. Because of its great simplicity, the government was able to let contracts to firms not previously associated with arms production. See Additional Information for shipping dimensions.
