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The first model bayonet for this carbine had a brass hilt, but subsequent models had a leather hilt. The 10th Battalion Royal Artillery had a distinguished record serving overseas in the 1850s, principally in Canada and the West Indies. The importance of this piece is the presence of contemporary issue stamps on the crossguard. The maker of the blade is W.K.C., a famous Solingen firm. However, the contract for this particular batch was made up in Belgium in 1854 with these German blades. Note that it is the early pattern of its type, with a rivet holding the spring in place instead of a screw. It was originally issued with an iron scabbard, but subsequent replacement issues were in leather when the original had been damaged or lost. The condition is somewhat on the worn side, reflecting its hard service in Canada and the Caribbean. There is evidence of an old repair to the leatherwork near the chape of the scabbard, but the seam is intact. I have the battalion service records in my library and can copy them out should a purchaser be interested. |