British, WWI-Dated 1917, Pattern 1907 SMLE Bayonet by James A. Chapman, with No. I Mk II Scabbard & 1937 Pattern Web Frog

*British, WWI-Dated 1917, Pattern 1907 SMLE Bayonet by James A. Chapman, with No. I Mk II Scabbard & 1937 Pattern Web Frog*

Original British Pattern 1907 bayonet for the Short Magazine Lee-Enfield (SMLE) rifle, dated September 1917, and manufactured by James A. Chapman, one of the smaller and less commonly encountered First World War government contractors.

The bayonet retains its correct single-edged, fullered blade and wooden slab grips secured by two screws, together with the later clearance hole through the pommel, a standardised wartime modification introduced by 1916–1917 to allow mud and debris to clear from the internal locking mechanism.

The blade ricasso is crisply stamped with the correct crown over “1907”, date 9 ’17, and CHAPMAN maker’s mark. Additional inspection and acceptance marks are present, including the Broad Arrow, multiple Enfield inspection crowns (E) with inspector numbers, and the X bend-test mark, all consistent with British military inspection practice during the First World War. The pommel is stamped “1 W / 666” (see interpretation below).

The bayonet is accompanied by a correct British No. I Mk II steel scabbard with teardrop frog stud, finished in blackened steel and showing honest service wear. Fitted with a 1937 Pattern web bayonet frog, the second of the two P37 sub-types classified by Carter as Type #154, with 1¼-inch (32 mm) upper and lower belt loops.

Approx. Measurements – Blade length: 43 cm. Overall length: 55.4 cm.

Historical Note:
The Pattern 1907 bayonet was introduced alongside the SMLE rifle and became the standard British infantry bayonet of the First World War. Early examples featured a hooked lower quillon, but by late 1913 this was deleted to simplify manufacture — making this the more commonly encountered wartime configuration.

James A. Chapman was a comparatively minor British government contractor during the First World War, producing approximately 300,000 Pattern 1907 bayonets in total, a substantially smaller output than major makers such as Wilkinson, Sanderson, or Mole, whose production ran into the millions. As a result, Chapman-made examples are of particular interest to collectors seeking full maker representation. By 1917, production had incorporated several wartime simplifications, including the drilled pommel clearance hole present on this example, introduced to improve reliability in muddy field conditions.

Following the First World War, vast numbers of Pattern 1907 bayonets remained in British stores and continued in service throughout the inter-war period and into the Second World War, often paired with updated scabbards and webbing, exactly as seen here.

Pommel Marking – Interpretation:
The stamped marking “1 W / 666” is consistent with British unit and rack numbering. Plausible interpretations include:
- 1st Battalion, Welsh Regiment
- 1st Battalion, West Riding Regiment (Duke of Wellington’s) – less commonly abbreviated simply as “W” but possible
- Isle of Wight Rifles – usually marked I.W. or I.W.R.
As with many wartime unit stamps, an exact attribution cannot be stated with absolute certainty, but the marking is unquestionably period and service-applied.

*Condition*
Bayonet in very good, honest service condition. Blade retains clear markings with scattered age staining and light pitting consistent with wartime use. Grips are solid and well-fitted with no cracks or repairs. Guard and pommel show uniform patina. Locking mechanism functions correctly. Scabbard is sound with original finish wear and no splits. Frog is serviceable, correctly patterned, and shows expected wear from field use. Please see photographs as part of the condition report.

A strong, well-marked WWI-dated Pattern 1907 bayonet by a scarcer maker, complete with correct scabbard and an authentic later-service web frog. An excellent representative example illustrating the continued service life of Britain’s classic First World War bayonet into the Second World War period.

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