Bayonet Pattern 53/74 socket
Weapon Specification
Date of Approval | 21st December 1872 |
Length | Overall: 20.7" Blade: 17" |
Weight |
Weapon Overview
Introduced in List of Change 2659, the Pattern 53/74 was a conversion of the exiting .577" calibre bayonets in store with a reducing bush to suit the Martini Henry rifle Mk1. The P54/74 was thet standard issue for other ranks until the introduction on the Common Socket bayonet in 1876. The blade has a pronounced curve outward to prevent injury to the hand on a muzzle loading rifle.
Actual approval of the bayonet was December 1872, however it was formally adopted with the rifle in 1874.