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Title Lebel bayonet, model 1916
Nationality French
Period 1915-18
Sold

This is the wartime pattern bayonet for the 1886 Lebel rifle, carried by French troops in both World Wars. The original type had a hook quillon, removed on this later model as an economy measure. An iconic photo, taken in Moscow in 1941, shows a women's battalion marching to the front carrying these, fixed on their rifles!

This is a nice example with a good, clean blade, and matching issue numbers on the scabbard and hilt (bronze). All the model 1886 bayonets had white gunmetal hilts, while later models had them in both metals.

The scabbard has some medium rust patination about half way down to the point and the hilt has a little surface patination, but otherwise the piece in good shape for its age.

If you want to comment on this item—re quality, age, etc—please email me.


[Edged Weapons : Bayonets : French : 20th Century]

testimonials

The bayonet is a splendid addition to my collection...

C T, UK, 03.12.2008

Hanger arrived safe and sound 11.30ish today. Very pleased, it's as expected. Your excellent pics make all the difference in terms of confident buying over the net. As a matter of interest, the frog, which as you said is very a/f, is, as you thought, 'spot on'. On closer inspection it is a mk.1 Naval Frog, designated 'for cutlasses'. Date seems around 1860ish give or take.

By the way, I think your site is very user friendly. Seems to work much better than many and up to date, a rarity!!!

C W, UK, 20.04.2006

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