Indian No 1 Mk II * Bayonet by N.W.R.

The India Pattern No. 1 Mk II* bayonet marked N.W.R. is a World War II-era weapon manufactured by the North Western Railway workshops in India. During the war, several Indian railway workshops were converted to produce military equipment to supplement the output of the Rifle Factory Ishapore (RFI).

Key Specifications & FeaturesManufacturer:

• Produced in the workshops of the North Western Railway (N.W.R.), which operated from Delhi to the northern frontiers of British India.
• Blade Design: Unlike the standard British Pattern 1907, this version features a 12-inch (approx. 305mm) unfullered blade. It was specifically designed for "jungle conditions" in the Burmese and Pacific theaters.
• The "Star" (*) Designation: The asterisk in "Mk II*" indicates the presence of a false edge (a short reverse blade) ground into the back of the tip to improve penetration.
• Markings: The ricasso typically bears the stamp "N.W.R." above a two-digit production year (e.g., '43 or '44) and the pattern designation "II"*.
• Hilt & Fittings: It retains the standard Pattern 1907 "bird-beak" pommel, wooden grips secured by two screws, and a muzzle ring (MRD 16.7 mm).

Rarity and Collectibility

• These railway-produced bayonets are generally considered rarer than those made at the main Ishapore factory. They were issued primarily to British and Indian troops for use with the Short Magazine Lee-Enfield (SMLE) No. 1 Mk III* rifle.
• Collectors often look for examples that include the original shortened leather scabbard, which typically features a round frog stud a distinctive trait of Indian-manufactured scabbards compared to the rectangular British versions.