lucky penny

A Lucky Penny: Every once in a while, no matter how closely you look at the photos, you will get fooled by a knife. I bought this knife off of Ebay and, based on the photos, I was sure it was a bayonet knife. It may still be but comparing it to a Metford Bayonet I have pretty much ruled that out. The good news is this knife is of superb construction and design. It came from England and was described as a “theater knife.” So I cannot fault the seller. I bought it for a pittance and do not regret my action. The handle is, like so many were, made up of multiple washers of various materials. Some are phenolic, some are aluminum. The brass guard is a little thin but well-shaped and tightly fitted. Underneath the guard there is a very narrow brass band similar to a Japanese habaki. A heavy brass pommel tops the four and a half inch, comfortably shaped handle. The broad blade is six and three quarter inches long, precisely ground and nicely sharpened. On top of the pommel is an English copper penny with the bust of King George the sixth. The bust has nearly been worn away over the years. To cap off a perfect set, the sheath is a professionally cut-down bayonet sheath complete with the original canvas frog. Over the years I have owned a few theater knives and sold off most of them. This one though is a keeper.