My best find in 30 years

Groundhogg

Sr. Member
Apr 16, 2022
438
1,325
Franklin, TN
๐Ÿ† Honorable Mentions:
1
Detector(s) used
Equinox 900, X-Terra Pro, Quantum II, DFX, Radio Shack Discovery 1000
Primary Interest:
Metal Detecting
Earlier this week (9/9/23) I found a "BRITISH 1888 MKI 2ND TYPE LEE METFORD BAYONET".
The land dates back to the mid 1800's. This item dates to ca. 1890. It was found about three feet from the driveway and only about four inches down. I was getting mixed signals, small brass next to large iron. Because the property was a working farm in the past I had dug a lot of iron trash but decided to see if it was a true brass signal or just a "falsing" rusty piece of iron. I'm glad I did. I pinpointed on the brass signal and exposed the grip end first. I knew then that it was some type of knife due to the brass rivets that hold the grip on, the pommel, and a guard. It was game on then and the blade just kept coming. So much so I had to check the length with the detector as my mind kept going to sword ๐Ÿ˜‚ . It stopped at 12" and the rest is history.

Here are a couple links I found when researching it. The first is a general overview and the second is an interesting look into the use and training for this bayonet and its time in history.


BRITISH 1888 MKI 2ND TYPE LEE METFORD BAYONET,MKI 1888 LAND PATT.


Bayonet Drill Practice
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Hope y'all enjoy it as much as I am.
 

Upvote 56
Awesome! Not too chewed up at all
 

Magnificent piece of history, in amazing condition- big time Congrats!
 

Awesome recovery Groundhogg! How do you think it made its way to your site? Maybe an American solder picked it up as a souvenir while across the pond during ww1?
 

Congratulations on a unique find.

Forgive me if it's already been mentioned but what type of material would have been used for the handle?
(I'm guessing wood since it isn't there anymore.)
 

Awesome! Not too chewed up at all
I appreciate it! Not chewed up at all. As a matter of fact it still has a fine point on it. I thought that might be the first thing to go.
 

Awesome recovery Groundhogg! How do you think it made its way to your site? Maybe an American solder picked it up as a souvenir while across the pond during ww1?
Man...how many times have I said "how did that get here." ๐Ÿ˜‚
I've contacted our county historian for a little help with land owner/family records since the city records are a little sketchy. Not much interest yet. He's helped me in the past but unfortunately I don't think he is a big fan of metal detecting in archaeology. I'm whittling him down though.
 

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