item details
NameBayonet, Pattern 1888 Mk II, and scabbard
ProductionSanderson Brothers & Newbould Ltd.; manufacturer(s); 1900; England
Classificationbayonets, scabbards
Materialssteel, wood, brass, leather
Materials SummarySteel blade, steel and wood handle, steel and leather scabbard
DimensionsOverall: 68mm (width), 425mm (length), 25mm (depth)
Registration NumberB000004/2
Overview
This bayonet is on display at Te Papa in Gallipoli: The scale of our war.
It was officially called a 'Bayonet, Pattern 1888 Mk II.' It was designed to be fitted to the Long Magazine Lee Enfield Mk 1* rifles which were used by most of the New Zealand troops who fought at Gallipoli.
Bayonets were a terrifying weapon, used to stab enemy troops, especially during an attack. When our men started attacking Turkish positions during the August Offensive, they were ordered not to shoot but to rely on their bayonets to surprise and kill the defenders.