A recent posting, regarding an RKO 'Movie Krag', had me looking at movie 'stills' from the 1918 Charlie Chaplin comedy, "Shoulder Arms".

Oddly, in the photos were British Pattern 1888 Lee-Metford/Enfield bayonets, both 'stock' and modified.

Being an inquiring mind, I tested a British Pattern 1888 bayonet, and yes indeed, it will fit into a U.S. Krag scabbard.

However, the 'prop' department had to go to a lot of trouble to alter Pattern 1888 bayonets to, 'sort of', fit on a Krag rifle. The 'release button' is now on the right-side, rather than the original left-side, of the hilt.

It appears the British tang and grips were cut and shortened in front of the forward rivet. The entire grip was rotated 180 degrees, somehow reattached, and a 'step' was ground into the hilt. Another possibility is that, the grip scales were cut in front of the forward rivet, the guard was removed and rotated 180 degrees, and the guard was re-installed in a more rearward position.

(Note - Normally, the groove to accept a bayonet lug is on the bottom of the British hilt, rather than on the top, like on U.S. bayonets).

I guess for some reason, the prop supplier could not come up with real Krag bayonets, WW1 needs?.

(BTW - The Pattern 1888 bayonet has been a surplus item in the U.S.A. for a long time).

It may be worthwhile giving 'buggered up' bayonets a second look at gun shows. They could be Movie Stars!

(Note - first four photos are modified Pattern 1888 bayonet. The last photo is a 'Stock' Pattern 1888).

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