GI 1944 MKII India Bayonet And Scabbard
Original 1944 GRI MkII India RFI Bayonet And Scabbard
This is an original GRI Mk II bayonet dated 1944, produced under Indian contract and marked RFI. The bayonet retains the period look and character you want in a historical piece: honest service wear, aged patina on metal surfaces, and a firm, correctly fitted scabbard. The GRI marking identifies the bayonet as manufactured under King George VI’s reign, and the RFI stamp ties it to Indian tooling and wartime production — desirable attributes for collectors of Commonwealth arms and militaria.
Key features
- Authentic 1944 manufacture, clearly stamped “GRI” (George VI) and Mk II marking
- India production marking “RFI” (Rifle Factory, Ishapore) — Indian wartime/early postwar contract example
- Complete with original scabbard (matching era wear and finish)
- Solid, serviceable condition for a 1940s military artifact — retains original components and finish where noted
- Great provenance for collectors of Commonwealth and South Asian military items
Condition (honest, typical of a 1944 service item)
- Blade: shows expected surface wear and patina; no major bends or breaks visible (edge may have been lightly sharpened or stoned during service)
- Grip/handle: original fittings present; wear consistent with age and service use
- Scabbard: original to the piece, with period finish loss, service marks, and some surface corrosion in places — structurally sound and fits bayonet securely
- All markings visible (date, GRI, RFI) — see photos for close-up detail (buyers should inspect images carefully)
- Oil coated to prevent rust
Collector Notes:
A solid, display-ready bayonet for militaria enthusiasts, especially those focused on British Commonwealth and Indian wartime production
Rare to find complete with original scabbard in matching condition from 1944
Excellent conversation starter and historical artifact for a cabinets-of-curiosities, reference collection, or museum accession
