UNIFORM & KIT ISSUED TO THE NEW ZEALAND ARMY DURING WW2

1907 Pattern Bayonet with Scabbard

This bayonet was patented in 1907 (hence the title of 1907 Pattern) after a series of trials of various bayonet types. There is a clear influence upon this pattern of bayonet with regards to the Japanese Arisaka Type 30 bayonet, bearing in mind that all British made bayonets after 1913 were manufactured without the characteristic "hooked quillion".  The initial production started in January 1908 and had the curved Quillion (as did the Ariska bayonet).  The company "Enfield" was by far the most prolific producer of this bayonet, however a large quantity was also produced by companies - Wilkinson, Sanderson and Chapman.  Examples by Vickers and Mole were also produced, however not in as great a number as the previous manufacturers and these bayonets are now becoming quite collectable.   Initial scabbards had a hidden chape but this was changed in 1908 to the external chape normally seen.  The "button" or frog stud on the scabbard which protrudes and prevents the scabbard from pushing through the bayonet frog had three variations.  On this example pictured, it shows the "tear drop" shaped button.  The other two types of scabbard button were both round in shape, yet one size was larger than the other.  The tear drop frog stud is more associated with pre-World War 1 and early First World War pattern, however in 1915 the round shaped alteration frog stud was approved and by 1916 the British were  producing their scabbards with the "round" shape .