The Toradar was used in the Mughal Empire, which encompassed much of present-day India, Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Iran.

Essentially a socket bayonet without a socket, the unique design accommodates the Toradar’s belled muzzle, which precludes use of a conventional socket bayonet. The bayonet is pinned to the stock through the small holes at the rear of the sidearms. The hinged muzzle ring encircles the barrel and is pinned in place. A wrapping around the sidearms and barrel completes securing of the bayonet.

The bayonet is short, owing to the very long Damascus-steel barrel typical of the Toradar. Many bayonets are ornately decorated, however, this example is plain and utilitarian, suggesting military use. The reinforced swell-point enables the bayonet to pierce chain-mail armor, which was still worn in the Mughal Empire during the mid-1700s. This example dates to that period, ca. 1750.

This copy of the Windus Pattern 1771 socket bayonet would have been locally made in India for use by the armed forces of one of the Indian States. The socket features a spring that secures the bayonet to the musket's bayonet stud.

Lieutenant Colonel Edward Windus simplified the Brown Bess musket in 1771 to facilitate its manufacture by the British East India Company. The simplified musket was subsequently adopted by Britain in 1793 as the India Pattern Brown Bess.

During the British Colonial Period, Indian states were semi-autonomous monarchies on the Indian subcontinent. Each had a local or regional ruler that was ultimately subject to the British Crown. Approximately 60 percent of the Indian subcontinent was comprised of provinces under direct British rule, while 40 percent was comprised of indirectly-ruled Indian States. The states had internal autonomy, while Britain had authority over the states' external affairs. Each state had its own armed force, which was primarily relegated to local policing and ceremonial duties under restrictions imposed by the British Crown.

The blade markings identify the firm of Henry Osborn & John Gunby, who made Baker blades 1808–1838. The blade was hilted in India. This example’s hilt is closely patterned after the British-made Baker Sword.

This 2nd Type example has a D–shaped knuckle guard, where the 1st Type had a rectangular knuckle guard.

This early sword bayonet uses the hirschfanger mounting system, with a lateral mortise (on the side of the grip), a flat spring catch, and no muzzle ring.

Probably made 1845–1860 in India, it is of somewhat cruder construction than the British-made version.

This 2nd Type example lacks the D-shaped knuckle guard found on the 1st Type.

The socket length is 4.00 in. (102 mm.).

This example was originally made ca. 1800 for use with the India Pattern Brown Bess musket. Following British adoption of the Pattern 1853 rifle-musket, many colonial flintlock arms were converted to percussion ignition. The original smoothbore barrels were left in place, so the existing bayonets were modified by brazing a locking ring collar and stop pin to the socket; and installing the locking ring. The socket length measures 4.00 in. (102 mm.). The muzzle length measures 2.00 in. (51 mm.).

The policy of continuing to equip Indian Army units with smoothbore arms long after their obsolescence arose in the aftermath of the Indian Rebellion of 1857 (Sepoy Rebellion). The Rebellion also led to dissolution of the British East India Company. The Company was largely blamed for allowing issues in the Company's private army to fester and spiral out of control, resulting in a year-long conflict that left 100,000 Indians dead. The Crown swiftly retaliated by nationalizing the Company in 1858; seizing its powers, property, and private army.

This bayonet likely had a service life of nearly 100 years, during which polishing and repair obliterated any markings that once may have been present.

India used the British bayonet designation, Pattern 1907, from 1911 until 1926, when India re-designated it bayonet No. I Mk. I. India preferred the shorter P1903 bayonet, so delayed production of the Pattern 1907 bayonet until 1913, when the Crown forced its adoption for standardization purposes. Initial production included the hooked lower quillon, which was deleted in 1914.

This example was made in October 1919 at Rifle Factory Ishapore.

RFI’s production was inefficient, with No. I Mk. III rifle production only totaling to approximately 30,000 from 1910-14. Outbreak of the First World War saw production increase. According to RFI, 36,037 No. I Mk. III rifles were produced during 1918-19. Production is not believed to have exceeded 10,000-14,000 rifles per year during the interwar period. However, expansion and modernization of RFI during the 1920s and 1930s enabled RFI to produce 750,000 rifles and bayonets during 1939-45.

Most of the early RFI bayonets had their blades shortened to 12-inches during the Second World War (like the example pictured below). Examples retaining their original blade length are uncommon. The original markings on this example appear untouched or added to, suggesting that this piece saw minimal rework during its very long service life.

The scabbard is of British manufacture. Both mounts bear maker marks indicating manufacture by the firm, W. J. Hill Ltd. of Birmingham.

Ricasso (right): Broad Arrow over "I" and "IG" over "8" (viewer's mark) and "X" (bend test mark)

Pommel: "412"

Scabbard (topmount): "W.J.H." over "B"

Scabbard (endmount): "W.J.H." over "B"

This example retains none of the original markings.  The Indian Government crest indicates that factory repair occurred after 1950.  "DP" marking indicates designation for 'drill purpose' (i.e., no longer for primary issue).

Until the British came along 2,000 years later, Ashoka the Great (273 BC–232 BC) was the last time the Indian subcontinent had been united under a single ruler. His symbol, four lions standing back to back, standing atop a lotus beneath the Wheel of Law, was adopted as the emblem of the Government of India in 1950.  Only three lions are visible; the fourth is hidden from view.

Unlike the bayonet above, this example is not a cut-down Pattern 1907, but was made with a 12-inch unfullered blade in 1944 in the workshops of the North West Railways.

The famous Bengal & North West Railways (NWR) was formed in the early 1880s and ran until taken over by the Indian Government in 1943.  The NWR carried freight, passengers, and steamship mail from Delhi to the northern frontier of British India and beyond to Peshawar, Pakistan.

During the Second World War, many of the Railway's shops were converted to produce war materiel and this bayonet is an example of their handiwork. This example is in exceptional condition.  Just immaculate.

This variant was the last, and crudest production type, with a square pommel, and rectangular grips. Unlike the beautiful bluing of the preceding example, these were simply painted black. Approximately 50 percent of the original stoving (paint) remains.

This example retains crisp original Second World War markings, indicating that it likely escaped factory repair. 

Crosspiece:  "DP"

Pommel:  "621"

This bayonet is closely patterned after the British L1A4 bayonet, except that it has wooden grip scales. As with the L1A4, it has the recessed press stud, the simplified crosspiece, and the pommel is riveted to the tang. The 1A bayonet used the standard British No. 5 scabbard, as was used with the L1 series bayonets.

While the blade is still in good condition, the guard is cracked and hilt exhibits very heavy wear. 1A bayonets with the standard length blade are scarce. This is the only example that I have ever encountered.

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Ricasso (left): indistinct markings

Pommel: two partial serial numbers

1A long blade bayonets are uncommon, but not nearly as scarce as the standard-length variant. Most are found without scabbards. The scabbard is a crude, longer copy of the British No. 5.

This example was made in 1967 at Rifle Factory Ishapore. 

Gurkha Regiments were issued the 1A Long Blade bayonet.

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Pommel:  "485" lined out and "899"

The INSAS bayonet is primarily patterned on the AKM Type II bayonet, but with a conventional edge-down blade profile and a pommel characteristic of its predecessor, the 1A bayonet. The NATO-spec 22 mm. muzzle ring terminates in a bizarre screwdriver-point finial. The scabbard's wire-cutter incorporates a pointed hook for use as a bottle opener.

Production began in 1997 at Rifle Factory Ishapore (RFI). The fit and finish are rather poor, on a level with Egyptian AKM bayonets. A bit surprising, given RFIs long experience with bayonet production.

The INSAS rifle shares a similar design philosophy, being primarily based on the Kalashnikov action, but incorporating some of what were viewed as desirable characteristics of its FN-FAL-based predecessor, the 7.62 mm. NATO caliber 1A selective-fire rifle. The rifle performed poorly in early combat engagements, was improved several times, but has remained controversial throughout its service life.

In 2017, India announced that the INSAS would be phased out of front-line service as new weapons are procured. The INSAS is still in production, with quantities having been sold to Bhutan, Nepal, and Oman. The INSAS will likely continue to serve in Indian military, paramilitary, and police forces for many years to come. Production figures are not known, however, during its 20 years of service upwards of a million are believed to have been made.

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