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For your consideration, you are viewing an Antique piece of WWI Military History, this is a 1916 piece of French Military History.  It is an M1886 Lebel Bayonet, Rolled Metal Scabbard and leather Frog. The French called this an épée bayonet, after the épée fencing sword and was considered an unusual design at a time when knife bayonets were predominately used worldwide, but also for its unusual rotating collar locking device. In 1893 the press stud for the rotating collar was changed. These Lebel bayonets were affectionately nicknamed “Rosalie” by the French troops, after a song. The Germans called them “Knitting Needles.” France adopted the Lebel Repeating infantry Rifle in 1886 which is an 8 mm bolt action rifle a.k.a "Fusil Mle 1886 M93" The Lebel rifle was the first military firearm to use smokeless powder ammunition. The propellant powder, "Poudre B," was invented in 1884 by French chemist Paul Vielle. Lieutenant Colonel Nicolas Lebel contributed a flat-nosed 8 mm full metal jacket bullet to complete the ensemble and at the same time Colonel Capdeveille designed the 4-sided cruciform cross bayonet for use with the new innovative ground-breaking Lebel rifle, these were manufactured from 1866 until after the introduction of the 1874 French Gras, the cruciform blade was retained by most of the French bayonets for over 70 years... and was in use up until 1956. The M1886 was the French mainstay during WWI and many were still in service during WWII and in the Fall of France in 1940. Famously they were also used in Africa by the French Foreign Legion. There are 2 different 1886 Lebel bayonets. Both have  20.5 " / 52.7 cm blades, but they are found in shorter lengths as the blades were often reworked when the tip broke off in battle. The French also modified many of these bayonets in 1935 by shortening them. The earliest bayonets had a nickel-silver handle and a hooked quillon. This is an M1886 that escaped later modifications, retaining its long blade, with its combination of brass handles & no quillon, it is an example of the bayonet in transition. By 1916 the French needed to conserve nickel for the war effort, the handles were then made of brass and a little later they were manufactured without the quillon, the French discovered the quillons were more likely to get caught on equipment than they were to catch and break the thrust of an enemy bayonet. It has a quad (4) sided graduating cruciform blade, with a blued metal cross-guard and press stud, a Brass hilt grip, it has a rolled steel graduating round tube scabbard with a fixed belt bar and a genuine leather appropriate frog belt hanger. # The makers and inspection marks are:

• CROSS GUARD: "M within a circle" over "F (in script writing) 399"
• RICASSO: "P". REVERSE: "L" over "_" (handwritten?)

CONDITION

This bayonet is antique circa 1800s, it is used, and in good condition for its age and use in warfare. The brass grip is in good condition with marks consistent with use and fits tightly to the tang, the release/lock button is in working order. The 51.8 cm blade has a polished finish with some scattered stains and a naturally aged patina. The edges are not sharp and have no major dings. The remaining metal on the cross-guards, pommel and mortise has a worn-blued finish with some stain. The scabbard has a refurbished blackened finish and it has no dents and fits tightly together with the bayonet. The leather frog is supple with all the stitching tight and intact, the buckle is firmly attached. # Please note that the photographs form part of the description; Super-sized photos are available for you to view in the eBay gallery, to show the finer details and conditions.

• Photos do not show the actual size so please make sure you read the description page to get the exact measurements.
• Colours may display differently depending on your computer and settings.
• The item in the photos is the one that you will receive.
• The lead photo has had the background removed with Photoshop, but all the original untouched photos are included in the listing.
• Any errors will be accidental and not intentional or purposely misleading.