Some 50,000 of these were made from 1805-15. This example was made by Thomas Bate, a government contractor working in Birmingham, specialising in the production of rifle sword-bayonets. The Baker rifle was the standard arm of both Rifle Brigade and King's Royal Rifle Corps throughout the latter part of the Napoleonic Wars.
This has a 23.5" flat unfullered blade with a 5" false edge at the point. There is a government inspection stamp at the forte (2 under a crown), together with 'Bate' stamped on the back of the blade. The original leather hilt washer is still in place. The only noticeable defect is the distortion of the knuckle bow by a maximum of 10 degrees out of true, quite typical of hard service wear and tear! The hilt is a little loose.
If you want to comment on this item—re quality, age, etc—please email me.
[Edged Weapons : Bayonets : British : 19th Century]
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