L3A1 Bayonet
The bayonet has been a corner stone of the British Armed Forces for hundreds of years.
The British Military sees a place for the bayonet in both its training and modern combat.
In training the bayonet is an integral part of turning civilians into soldiers. Recruits learn about controlled aggression and for the first time begin to understand the realties of combat as they thrust their bayonets into blood filled sandbags while screaming phrases such as “IN – TWIST – OUT”
In modern combat the bayonet serves to increase the users tenacity and aggression while breaking the enemy’s morale in the charging attack and following close combat.
Thus the bayonet is a integral part of British military culture and one Murdoch and Co. wishes to continue on correctly and honorably through our products.
Murdoch and Co. No.80 Proudly placed next to a well worn, genuine L3A1 Bayonet. This one saw operations in Afghanistan with 1st Battalion 1 Rifles in 2010.
Genuine vs Fake L3A1 Bayonets
In today’s world we sadly face the challenge of reproductions that do not meet the quality or specifications of their original counterparts.
This is no different to the L3A1 bayonet. We discovered this here at Murdoch and Co. While perfecting our No.80 and No.4 flash hiders. We purchased original bayonets, gifted ones that saw combat with the British Armed Forces and bought, unknowingly, fakes.
This is important as Murdoch and Co. products will only fit and function on original and genuine bayonets. Our No.80, No.4 and EM-85 are not compatible with reproductions and attempting to force these fake bayonets on your product is a hazard to yourself, others and will damage your Murdoch and Co. Product.
Doing this also voids our warranty.
Thus we have taken out time to inform our clients of this issue so they may source genuine bayonets to use on their genuine Murdoch and Co. products.
Overview
To begin we must first understand some simple giveaways.
Price – A Genuine L3A1 in 2025 will cost $200-350 USD Depending on condition. A fake will be $100-150. Although there is currently a fakes on the market for over $500.
Markings – Genuine bayonets do not have any stampings or markings. Fakes will have a laser engraved “MFH” or bare metal from the attempted removal of this fake marking.
Fitment – Authentic issued MOD bayonets fit our No.80 flash hiders and our collection of genuine SA80 flash hiders which your Murdoch and Co is painstakingly referenced from. Counterfeit handles are too small internally. The molding has not been bored out and thus will not host a Murdoch and Co. muzzle device. It is dangerous to force fitment of these two items. We have also attempted to bore out a fake and this cannot be done. the handle is to small and under 0.5mm of material remains. This is aircraft sheet metal thin.
Left Side
On the Left side we see the most striking and instant visual giveaway—The “Ribs”.
These nine “Ribs” are only located on the left side of the blade. These “Ribs” are used to seat the bayonet into a plastic arm in the scabbard. Fakes do not have this clear and practical feature. If you wish to quickly identify your bayonet this is by far the best.
Continuing on, the blade, we see the fuller grove. This is often found on military blades to lighten the blade. Often inaccurately called a “Blood grove” this is not its purpose. This grove is a clear rectangle mold which is longer with sharp, clear corners on the genuine bayonet rather than the smaller smooth ended cut on the counterfeit.
The fake has a “26” painted over the fake laser engraving. The genuine bayonet has no markings of the sort.
The genuine bayonet has a shallower tip to the blade than the thicker, steeper blade tip on the fake.
We finally see a roll pin vs a solid pin on the counterfeit – This is discussed further on this page.
Right Side
On the right hand side you can see our genuine bayonet below and the fake above.
On this side we see the fuller grove, a clear rectangle mold with four sharp sides, it is longer in length than the fake. Remember these L3A1’s are cast and machine finished.
We can also see the base of the genuine L3A1 has a steeper angle than the gentle curve blade base of the fake. This can be seen on both sides of the blade.
Pins
Genuine L3A1 bayonets use a roll-pin and seen here.
Fakes use a solid pin, hammered at each end for a rivet effect that barely holds in place.
Scabbard and Frog
The British Military issues two types of scabbards with its L3A1. (Left / Above – Fake Bayonet and fake / newmade scabbard)
The first is a simple plastic one to hold the bayonet, the second is has a plastic base with the addition of a sharpening stone, barbed wire cutter and wood saw.
These authentic “Infantry” scabbards are far rarer and fetch a higher price.
Genuine bayonets will rarely come with these scabbards but often come with “plain” ones.
Fakes, on the other hand are always seen with these more desirable “Infantry” scabbards.
The most difficult part of this is the frog. The item which the scabbard sits inside and is attached to the webbing. This most often is genuine when sold with fake L3A1’s due to their cheap price and plentiful availability.
MOD and Manuals
Official MOD manual diagram of the L3A1 bayonet with infantry scabbard.
Here we see all of the discussed features identifying a genuine L3A1 on this manual example.
Notes: Some regiments may mark their bayonets with marker, paint or stamping. This is rare and differs from the norm. Refer to other features discussed here to determine if the example in question is genuine.
Summary
We hope this has helped you identify the bayonet you wish to purchase or use on your Murdoch and Co.
We write this not to discourage anyone, nor shed shame on anyone who owns a fake L3A1, but rather insure that genuine L3A1’s are used with genuine Murdoch and Co. products. This insures our customers will have the most enjoyment and do not damage their belongings.
Thank you for your time.
If in doubt simply ask – “Has this item seen military service?”
Because remember – seldom does anything come out of the British military brand new.