Enfield bayonet contractor question

[rebyank]

Here's a question for the experts.

I picked up an original enfield bayonet this weekend, for $70, and cleaned the rust off of it enough to see a marking on the blade. It's very shallow and reads
"W&E" or "W&L" what contractor would this be?? the peculiar thing is that you read it with the blade pointing down rather than up. there is also a stamp of "24" on the base of the socket.

Any info is greatly appriciated.

sidedrummer@lycos.com

[rebyank]

Re: Enfield bayonet contractor question

Sorry, I did some more cleaning and discovered the name is "W&B" not W&E.

I hope this brings a response,


sidedrummer@lycos.com

[Burpyturtle]

Re: Enfield bayonet contractor question

Maybe it is a commercial contract from Wade and Butcher, Sheffield England. W&B Bowies and razors were common in the USA before WWI. They made knives, razors, cutlery, etc. from about 1819 to 1918.

You can also ask on the bayonet collector's forum at Society of American Bayonet Collectors. They know more than me.

http://www.bayonetcollectors.org/forum.htm

Cody Hauser

[hireddutchcutthroat]

Re: Enfield bayonet contractor question

Are you shure it is not WD? WD would stand for War Department, and would be accompanied with a broad arrow mark.

[rebyank]

Re: Enfield bayonet contractor question

No it isn't W^D I have a brit WD marked bayonet, and this one looks very diferent from the W^D bayonet. The stamp is literally W&B the & is included in the stamp. I believe Mr. Hauser hit the nail on the head with Wade & Butcher. Also as I mentioned in my first post, to read the W&B, you hold the bayonet with the blade pointing down. I have never seen a brit W^D marked bayonet read like that, every single one I've seen has read with the blade pointing up.

It will be very hard, but I will try and post a pic or scan of the mark