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]
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