Thanks again Jim for this feedback! (and apologies if this is not the right forum for bayonets). I had gotten some feedback from some other bayonet sites as well so just trying to build my knowledge about them and get a few opinions. The thing that seems to be different with this one is the much shorter blade and the shorter overall length as it seems 21" or so was the "standard" length for most British bayonets. But as you say I think some of the carbines and "lighter" guns maybe had shorter ones?....but it's not real clear from the various reference books I've seen. And yes Dawes did seem to have a pretty long period of production. The broadhead stamp (or whatever it is) is pretty hard to decipher.
Well, as they say...good enough for Government work I guess
Thanks again.
Murph