Thailand. Siam. Type 45 Bayonet. 1903.

Knife bayonet for the Mauser Type 45 8mm rifle. Siamese.

This scabbard appears to be original, never dismantled or restored. The neck of the scabbard is unique, as it features a depression that allows the scabbard to stay on the bayonet once fixed to the rifle.

The markings on the ricasso indicate «R.S. 121» in Siamese, which represents the year 1903 in the Gregorian calendar (Western). «R.S. 121» stands for Rattanakosin Sok 121. This refers to the 121st year of the Rattanakosin Era, which began with the founding of Bangkok in 1782. The bayonet was renamed Type 45 when Siam adopted the Buddhist calendar in 1913. The Buddhist year 2445 corresponds to 1903.

In 1903, 40,000 Type 45 rifles and bayonets were manufactured at the Imperial Japanese Army Arsenal in Tokyo (Kowisikawa). Siam wanted Mauser to produce them; however, Mauser received a flood of large orders for rifles from the German and Turkish governments, so they authorized production in Japan.

The Siamese Type 45 bayonet was the first Mauser bayonet compatible with what is known in the West as the M1904. Therefore, the Siamese Type 45 bayonet and the Mauser M1904 bayonet are interchangeable.

Faced with the threat of Western colonial expansion in Southeast Asia in the late 19th century, King Rama V of Siam (now Thailand) sought new weapons as part of a modernization program to secure the kingdom’s independence. After experimenting with other rifles, the Siamese army decided to acquire a Mauser rifle based on the Gewehr 98 design as its primary service rifle. Through various modifications, adaptations, and the use of different cartridges, Siamese Mausers served as the main infantry weapon of Siam until after World War II.

King Rama V (Chulalongkorn) of Siam saw modernization as an important countermeasure to French colonial expansion from Indochina and British colonial expansion from Malaya after territorial concessions were imposed on Siam by both powers. Many countries succumbed to pressure from France and Britain and refused to sell modern weapons to Siam.

The Siamese army was able to purchase a Bulgarian contract for Austrian Mannlicher Model 1888/90 rifles. They decided not to adopt the Mannlicher, a straight-pull bolt rifle, but the Siamese were impressed with the Austrian 8x50mm rimmed cartridge.

Despite efforts from Britain and France, Siam also managed to obtain a license to manufacture the Mauser Gewehr 98 rifle. However, Siam lacked the necessary manufacturing capability. Japan did have the required capacity, and Siam contracted the Japanese Koishikawa Arsenal to manufacture their rifles.

Total length 395 mm.

Bayonet length 370 mm.

Blade length 247 mm.