SMLE and p1903 bayonet

[JS569]

After a long time I took the plunge and bought a 1903 bayonet. A really nice example, I'm really chuffed with it and it's a great addition to my collection. I went to fix it to my 1917 SMLE MkIII* and couldn't get it to fully slot in and 'lock' on. The rifle fits a 1907 pattern fine, but I thought the 1903 was the same fitting as on the 1907. Could anyone shed any light on why I couldn't get the 1903 on?

[Mattnall]

I have two rifles here, the 'Rifle, No1' and 'Rifle No1' converted to 'Rifle No2', the 1903 bayonet fits the No1 but it doesn't fit the No2. It appears that on the earlier rifle (No1/No2, 1916) the bayonet boss is a little too large in diameter to fit the ring on the bayonet.

[450 Martini]

The 03 bayonet does have the same fitting as the 07 pattern bayonet and should fit the same rifle. It sounds that the mortice slot on your bayonet is a little tight, it can be fitted properly by filing the inside of the bayonet mortice slot. In service this would have been done by the unit armourer. Rifles and bayonets would be given matching rack numbers in service to avoid mismatches.