'DP' - Drill Purpose
Printed From: Enfield-Rifles.com
Category: Enfields
Forum Name: Enfield Bayonets
Forum Description: General discussion about bayonets for the Enfield rifles
URL: http://www.enfield-rifles.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=6000
Printed Date: March 26 2026 at 7:18pm
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 12.07 - https://www.webwizforums.com
Topic: 'DP' - Drill Purpose
Posted By: Sarge
Subject: 'DP' - Drill Purpose
Date Posted: May 18 2013 at 1:34am
With British military items:- Firearms and Edged Weapons, if they are no longer serviceable for the use with which they were designed, but a use is seen for them as 'Training Aids'... 'DP' will be stamped into the item where it can clearly be seen... as illustrated below... In this particular case, its on the end of the pommel of a Pattern-1907 Sword Bayonet. What use would this have been put to? 1) Bayonet Fighting.  As well as the standard sprung loaded - Musket, Fencing, Short (Mk.II), '07's having been designated as 'DP' would have the point ground off (as with this example)...  ...and be used along with purpose made equipment (as in the case of the above illustrated item)... and actually be attached to the SMLE (possibly 'DP' itself) as it was designed to be used. 2) Ceremonial.  For ceremonial purposes, this item (the lower of the two illustrated above) would only be used by the Battalion Colour Party. As there are two guards for each of the Battalion and King's / Queen's Colour, with bayonets fixed. It is imperative to save the Colour from damage... hence the rounded point to the bayonet.  The more acceptable method of ensuring that no damage occurs to the Colour, is by the use of the Bayonet End-Cap (illustrated). These are made of hallmarked Sterling Silver, and slip neatly over the bayonet point. As will be noted, the tip of End-Cap is tipped with a ball. ------------- This is MY rifle, there are many like, but this one... is MINE! |
Replies:
Posted By: A square 10
Date Posted: May 19 2013 at 10:02pm
| very nice pieces , ive not seen the tip protector before |
Posted By: paddyofurniture
Date Posted: May 19 2013 at 10:56pm
|
Is the " tip protector" government marked ?
------------- Always looking for military manuals, Dodge M37 items,books on Berlin Germany, old atlases ( before 1946) , military maps of Scotland. English and Canadian gun parts. |
Posted By: Sarge
Date Posted: May 20 2013 at 12:07am
No. Being made from Sterling Silver, it has the standard assay marks...  ...but no Broad Arrow. From my enquiries when serving, and since, it seems that the Tip Protectors are private purchase by the Regiment. Kept in safe keeping with the Colours in the Officers Mess, but with the Regimental / Battalion Silver. These very rarely come up for auction. I had a friend several years back (he was the Mess-Sgt in the Officer's Mess) who's family served for generations with a certain battalion. I was given the nod about a forthcoming auction of various items, and details of where they were to be auctioned off. There were three bidders... myself being one of them, and I was right on my planned limit when there were no more bids... mine being the highest.  ------------- This is MY rifle, there are many like, but this one... is MINE! |
paddyofurniture wrote:Posted By: hoadie
Date Posted: May 20 2013 at 1:05am
Wow, Sarge.You sure do know lotsa stuff!  Good thing your on this forum..lots to learn from you!  (YOU MUST WEAR EARPLUGS @ NIGHT, SO ALL THIS INFO DOESN'T LEAK OUT!)  Your kinda knowledge must come from "living experience" Hoadie ------------- Loose wimmen tightened here |
Posted By: BlackAck
Date Posted: May 20 2013 at 1:26am
| Cool bit of kit. This just proves, it's not what you know, it's who you know. |
Posted By: Sarge
Date Posted: May 20 2013 at 2:32am
No.. never wear earplugs! I snore LOAD... lets the pressure out! In reference to the experience side of things. Having served in some of the places I did whilst in the military, certainly got me into a few privileged locations. The pattern room at Enfield, and the Museum at the School of Musketry being just two. I've been able to handle some really rare military items... a chance-in-a-lifetime really. The groups within the hobby whom I associated with over the years, they have been a treasure trove of information. Its not purely the amount of information that one is able to amass though... its what one does with it. With quite a lot of what one learns, its always best to do ones own research in follow-up. In that way, one gets a better understanding. One also uncovers more on the subject in question. No two individuals will research the same subject in the same way. What I have also learned over the years as the knowledge of my chosen subgect has grown, is that one learns where certain items can be found... and when. Who not to approach, what to walk away from, and what items are best aquired.... are all learnt by keeping ones eyes and ears open. Mistakes are made... but we all learn from them, or should do! BlackAck... It certainly is true sometimes! ------------- This is MY rifle, there are many like, but this one... is MINE! |
Posted By: paddyofurniture
Date Posted: May 20 2013 at 2:56am
|
I tip my mug to you Sir!
------------- Always looking for military manuals, Dodge M37 items,books on Berlin Germany, old atlases ( before 1946) , military maps of Scotland. English and Canadian gun parts. |
Posted By: Sarge
Date Posted: May 20 2013 at 6:27am
Hey!... Careful! Don't go spilling any of the thar RUM!  ------------- This is MY rifle, there are many like, but this one... is MINE! |
Posted By: paddyofurniture
Date Posted: May 20 2013 at 6:41am
|
Not at my house.
------------- Always looking for military manuals, Dodge M37 items,books on Berlin Germany, old atlases ( before 1946) , military maps of Scotland. English and Canadian gun parts. |
Posted By: hoadie
Date Posted: May 20 2013 at 9:11am
|
Wow Sarge, true words. I too have been on a long learning experience.(Primarily US Civil War)Been a truly enlightening & rewarding hobby.Although I don't limit my horizon to that conflict, I am always amazed @ the sacrifice & dedication of the average citizen/soldier.Ordinary people, that do unbelievably EXTRA ORDINARY feats. I was lucky enough to have had some GREAT conversations with 1st war vets, back in my early Legion days-they're all gone now.I have had similar talks with 2nd war & Korean vets. Things NEVER change in war..young men die,unbelievable sacrifices are made. At the end of the day - the combatants could've been best of friends, under other circumstances.(I actually worked with a pair like that.They were on opposite sides of the same battle.Here-they worked together, ate together, socialized together..& were the godparents for each other's kids.) Keep up feeding us the info..its appreciated! & keep history alive!!LEST WE FORGET! Hoadie ------------- Loose wimmen tightened here |
Posted By: hoadie
Date Posted: May 20 2013 at 9:13am
|
ah geeze! Forum froze & I re clicked..& itSTILL froze. Now look! D'oh! Hoadie ------------- Loose wimmen tightened here |
Posted By: paddyofurniture
Date Posted: May 20 2013 at 9:44am
|
We shall never forget. Memorial day is a remembering day in
my family. I am a veteran of the military as are all my male family
members, and a some female members as well. ------------- Always looking for military manuals, Dodge M37 items,books on Berlin Germany, old atlases ( before 1946) , military maps of Scotland. English and Canadian gun parts. |
Posted By: hoadie
Date Posted: May 20 2013 at 11:43am
|
very poignant. well said.  Hoadie ------------- Loose wimmen tightened here |
Posted By: paddyofurniture
Date Posted: May 20 2013 at 11:42pm
|
Thanks Hoadie.
------------- Always looking for military manuals, Dodge M37 items,books on Berlin Germany, old atlases ( before 1946) , military maps of Scotland. English and Canadian gun parts. |