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Old 14th February 2018, 02:08 PM   #27
Pukka Bundook
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Join Date: Jan 2007
Posts: 803
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The type of hay -knife I used as a lad, looked closest to N0 1883. (Heart shaped, ) These would be about 16 " wide at the top of the 'heart'. (40 CM)

One point if I may;
Some working tools will show up with (for example) British War Department broad arrows on them.
Some may take this as evidence that they were used as weapons.
No, this is a false conclusion usually.
What it usually means, is that the tool, (a billhook for instance) was part of the kit for most infantry or gun sections, for cutting brush and/for camouflage work.
I still have a1916 WD Billhook that grandfather probably purchased as Army Surplus between the wars. Still use it a lot as well! It Would make a rather devastating weapon, but such was not its intended use.

We also have a 1917 dated draw-knife , broad arrow marked.
(This is my 'new' one. :-) My old one that has lived with our family for generations, was made between 1790 and 1811 if I remember correctly.
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