Can anyone help me identify this bayonet, please. The handle is 118mm (4 5/8") long; the blade is 520mm (20.5") long and is cruciform (+) shape tapering to a point. At the handle end of the blade are the letters SG; and stamped on the handle (on what might be called the "anvil" is the number F16945 (the F is somewhat stylised)
431 Bayonet, French Model 1866 French Chassepot Bayonet, Dated May 1875, Made at the St. Etienne Armory in France, Bayonet handle & blade in very good condition, serial number 16945, Scabbard has matching serial number of 16945 and in good condition with a few minor dents and an area of about 4 inches showing rust pitting. Good 6&7 Global Auction Guide.. Just a guess.
Thanks guys, although it looks like the number 16945 is probably a model number rather than a serial number ( 2 of us can't have the same bayonet !!)
I am almost certain that it is an 1886 lebel bayonet. I have 2. One full length with a brass grip and no quillion, and one cut down version with a 'silver metal' grip and a quillion.
Looks like there's some discussion about the maker and the date, but everyone seems agreed that it's French. This fits with what my father always said - that it's a WW1 French bayonet. I just didn't want to muddy the waters when I posted my original query. The question remains - why did Dad see fit to bring it back with him from Dunkirk???
Looks like there's some discussion about the maker and the date, but everyone seems agreed that it's French. This fits with what my father always said - that it's a WW1 French bayonet. I just didn't want to muddy the waters when I posted my original query. The question remains - why did Dad see fit to bring it back with him from Dunkirk??? Because he wanted a future son to have it? But 'seriously', weren't a lot of Lebels being used in 1940? I don't recall ever seeing a Mas in any pictures of the battle of France. Might be interesting if someone could post some. Dave
Yes, it is a Lebel bayonet, a type originally introduced in 1886, with a silver-coloured handle made of 'bronze de nickel' or 'maillechort', and a quillion. The metal for the handle was imported from Germany and so after August 1914, all Lebel handles were made of brass or another metal, while in 1915 they stopped making them with quillions – so yours is post 1915. These bayonets were in use in the post-WWI period and into WWII, although the WWII ones were often shortened. BTW, the popular name amongst the French soldiers for this type of bayonet was "Rosalie", for the Virgin of Bayonne, where bayonets were allegedly first used in 1655. Can't help you with why your Dad thought to bring it back from Dunkirk, but Lebel bayonets do make good barbecue skewers... :smile: Trajan
