Does the L403A1 Mount a Bayonet?

In a recent article/video we looked at the UK’s newly selected Alternative Individual Weapon system, the L403A1. The Knight’s Armament KS-1 was selected as the new rifle for the Ranger Regiments of the Army Special Operations Brigade and for elements of the Royal Marines Commandos.

One question which frequently appeared in the comments was “can it fit a bayonet?” This is a good question because the British Army is known to be a proponent of bayonet use with a long history of using it to great effect from the 1600s right through to recent conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan.

*Surveillance and Reconnaissance Squadron member with new L403A1 (Royal Marines Commandos)*

The short answer to the question is – yes. The longer answer is a bit more complex. Just a week after the selection of the new rifle was announced Knights Armament displayed one of the rifles with a bayonet fixed at the DSEI 2023 exposition in London. This naturally caught some attention.

*L403A1/KS-1 with a bayonet seen as DSEI 2023 (via social media)*

However, when the selection of the L403A1 was initially announced a breakdown of the Alternative Individual Weapon system’s accessories and ancillaries was released. This included: a Vortex 1-10x LVPO, an Aimpoint ACRO and a QDC/MCQ-PRT [Quick Detach Coupling/Mini Close Quarters–Pressure Reduction Technology] suppressor along with a sling, a vertical front grip, and a Surefire weapon light but noticeably it did not include a bayonet.

*Breakdown of the parts and accessories adopted with the L403A1 (Edgar Brothers)*

The ability to fix a bayonet was not part of the weapon’s original requirements and it was not stipulated by the Rangers or Commandos. Instead, Knight’s Armament developed the capability themselves, perhaps recognising the UK’s fondness for the bayonet and the British Army’s long history of its use as both a training aid and as a weapon of war.

*KAC’s 1st bayonet design with QDC attachment mechanism (courtesy of Gregory Knowles)*

TAB reached out to Knight’s Armament about the bayonet and they confirmed that “the bayonet was designed in anticipation of a potential need, though not required as part of the contract.” The bayonet seen fixed to the rifle at DSEI was apparently the first iteration of the design which according to Knight’s Armament “used the same mounting mechanism as the suppressors” but a new “revised design uses an attachment mechanism that is more similar to the SA-80 bayonet attachment/retention design.”

Essentially, rather than using the suppressor’s ‘Quick Detach Coupling’ system the newer iteration of the bayonet uses a pivoting catch. The quick-detach method used by the suppressor involves the suppressor being rolled one way until the index pin seats in a notch before tightening it by twisting it the other direction.

*Photos of 2nd bayonet design (Knight’s Armament Company)*

The new iteration of the bayonet fits over the rifle’s 3-prong QDC muzzle device and uses the same style of catch system as the SA80. Knight’s Armament explained that “the redesign was a refinement of an initial concept after some basic testing and feasibility evaluation.” The bayonet haven’t undergone any serious testing as they’re still in the development phase. A chromed version of the latest iteration of the bayonet was also displayed at DSEI and has a removable pommel piece that can act as a small storage space and makes the bayonet more comfortable for use as a knife.

The bayonet’s blade is offset to the left side with a corresponding hole which lines up with the muzzle.

While bayonets aren’t currently planned to be issued with the rifles, the requirement might develop once they enter service. If, in the future, the UK Ministry of Defence requested a bayonet for the new rifles it seems that Knight’s Armament could be able to oblige.

Kabrit Commando Knife

While doing some research for a couple of upcoming videos I came across some photographs of Commandos training, at the Combined Training Centre at Kabrit in Egypt, which showed men equipped with some interesting fighting knives.

Typically when we think of Commandos and fighting knives we think of the Fairbairn-Sykes fighting knife with its stiletto point and cast grip. So much so that it became the iconic symbol of the Commandos.

Well these Royal Navy Commandos appear to be armed with fighting knives crafted from earlier standard issue bayonets. The knives have the standard stiletto blade but quite clearly do not have the Fairbairn-Sykes’ instantly recognisable cast ringed grip.

*Commandos training in hand to hand combat at Kabrit in June 1943 (IWM)*

In the series of photos taken during training at Kabrit, we can see numerous Commandos equipped with them and featuring in some quite dramatic photos from June 1943 – seemingly taken during training for Operation Husky. At first I thought the knives might have been made from the still-in-service 1907 Pattern sword bayonet used by the SMLE No.1 Mk.3. In some of the photos the scabbards appear to look like shortened 1907 bayonet scabbards with the same brass fittings and the knives appear to be retained by Pattern 1908 webbing bayonet frogs.

I also thought they might have been adapted from the even earlier 1888 Pattern bayonet for the Lee-Metford. But while they have a scroll to the front of their quillon/cross guard the shape of the pommel and the bayonet attachment point clearly differ.

*Naval commando with STEN MkII (with curious pistol grip) and a Commando knife made from a 1903 pattern bayonet (IWM)*

Not being a bayonet expert I was a little stumped so posted about the photos on twitter and Kevin Dann was kind enough to mention that the knives are in Ron Flook’s book on British & Commonwealth Military Knives. Flook identified the knives as adapted 1903 Pattern Bayonets, originally introduced with the SMLE before the move to a longer bayonet.

*Naval commando training June 1943 (IWM)*

It seems that these knives were used by Commandos and they are also seen in some photos of SAS operating in the Aegean. I’m not sure who made these knives, some sources mention Wilkinson Sword making some F/S style knives from old 1888 and 1903 bayonet blades but state these had different grips. Perhaps these were put together by a unit armourer if proper issue knives weren’t available.

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Bibliography:

British and Commonwealth Military Knives, R. Flook (1999)

Fairbairn-Sykes Commando Dagger, L. Thompson (2011)

ArmaLite AR10 Sudanese Bayonet

We’re proud to present our very first bayonet-centric episode. Vic takes a look at a bayonet for a Sudanese contract AR-10 as part of his ongoing Surplus Zone series. While a rather rare bayonet this example has some interesting features.

In 1958 the Sudanese Military contracted with Samuel Cummings company Interarmco, to supply 2,508 AR-10 Battle Rifles. 2,500 standard rifles and 8 adapted to mount optical sights as sniper rifles.

One of the requirements for the Sudanese rifles were that they were to be able to mount bayonets, something the AR-10 did not have a capability to do in its then current form. This inability to mount a bayonet was overcome by a rather simple and ingenious addition to the rifle. A cast and machined sleeve was fitted over the barrel between front sight base/gas block and the flash hider. This was pinned to the barrel just forward of the front sight base/gas block. It had machined into the underside of the bayonet adaptor a longitudinal rail to which the bayonet could be attached. This is the same interface as seen on WWII German issued Kar98K rifles, the significance of which will become clear!

It is uncertain why Interarmco chose the design of bayonet which they did. It would have been quite an expensive and complex one to manufacture but it is obvious that it is based upon the late WWII SG-42 bayonet come utility/fighting knife. The Sudanese contract AR-10 bayonet has a more symmetrical blade than that of the SG-42 and has no ‘blood groove’ (properly known as a fuller) which hints at the fact that it is seen more of a utility knife than as a ‘cut and thrust’ fighting knife/bayonet.

Sudanese AR10 Bayonet.jpg — Sudanese contract AR-10 bayonet

It has been established that the SG-42 was manufactured by Waffenfabrik Carl Eickhorn in Solingen, Germany (determined by its cof marking / WaA19 inspection code), whereas the toolkit was made by Robert Klaas of Solingen (inspection code: ltk). Inside the bayonet’s grip are a number of tools which detach from the grip and can be used for rifle maintenance. The tools also include a bottle opener and a corkscrew. Inside the toolkit stored in the bayonet’s grip are a number of tools which detach from the grip and can be used for rifle maintenance. The tools also include a bottle opener and a corkscrew.

In regard to the AR-10 Sudanese bayonet, the Eickhorn company does not deny being the manufacturer of the Sudanese contract bayonet, they simply cannot confirm that they were the maker, since all relevant factory records have been lost!

In the Dutch AR-10 archives, Interarmco (i.e. Samuel Cummings) does not disclose the name of the manufacturer, but refers only (in the pertinent correspondence with A.I.) to “the Solingen manufacturer” of this knife-bayonet for the Sudanese contract.

Check out Vic’s earlier Surplus Zone videos here and his special series on the AR-10 here.

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