a puzzle

[Jim McDougall]

Originally Posted by corrado26

Could it be that the number at the socked is II/SI and not II/8I?

That's what I was thinking too Udo. As I noted in my post (#4) the markings on the British volunteer unit bayonet are remarkably similar. In the late 1790s into early years of 1800s there was a distinct paranoia in England about possible French invasion. There were units of the army and artillery positioned along the coasts, and bolstered by various groups or units of militia.

It would seem possible that this might be markings from such a unit, though only some sort of corroboration from accounts of such units, which are apparently pretty scarce. The presumed numerals 18 seem more like an SI as the '8' character does not close and cross as it should, but remains open like an 'S.