British 1888 Bayo w/ Frog

[Chopperman]

One of my coworkers gave this to me yesterday.
He knew that I collected and he said that he had no need for it anymore, so it was mine.

I'm not good with British markings but from what I can tell, I think it is
model 1888-type2. Made by the Royal Arms factory in Feb '02.
It has several different inspection stamps on the blade, a couple on the scabbard
and on the frog.

The frog is unit marked 5C MR and both frog and knife are marked 196 which I am
guessing is the unit inventory number.

[Chopperman]

please let me know if I'm correct with my assumptions about the markings.
This is way out of my comfort zone.

[Anderson]

Basically correct Greg. Bayonet is Enfield made, date as you say. "X" is a bend test. The frog seems too wide, but is of the type used then. MR is probably Mounted Rifles,

[Chopperman]

Thank you.

[Chopperman]

I did a Google search and found the 5th contingent , Victorian mounted Rifles.
and also the 5th Canadian mounted Rifles.

Concerning the size of the frog, I found this-----
Canadian M&D Patt 1888 Bayonet Frog

"1st pattern Canadian Oliver equipment belt frog for the 1888 Mk 1 bayonet for the Lee-Metford rifle. Built with a second holder for an entrenching tool." "Issued to the Canadian Boer War Units"

[Chopperman]

Does anyone have any thoughts about this being from the 5th Canadian Mounted Rifles?

[Rescue190]

Nice bayonet Greg. I am not able to confirm markings though and I do not have any reference books that pertain. My apologies.
John

[Anderson]

You're on to it now Greg, I think the entrenching tool is the reason it seems oversize. I recall it was attached to the bayonet by webbing on NZ WW1 soldiers using the Long Tom rifle. Here is a photo of NZ soldiers at Gallipoli in 1915. Note the attachments to the bayonet frogs in picture.

[Chopperman]

I found this picture of a member of the 2nd Canadian rifles showing
the Enfield rifle and the wide bayonet frog. I've sent off an enquiry to the
Canadian War Museum to see if they might help.

[Chopperman]

I was able to confirm that the unit mark is indeed the 5th Canadian Mounted Rifle.