FRENCH MODEL 1886/91/16/35 LEBEL BAYONET SCABBARD & LEATHER FROG WWI/II PERIOD

Description

Photographs throughout Ad:
Offered for auction from a recent estate sale is an
ORIGINAL FRENCH  M1886/91/16/35  LEBEL BAYONET WITH SCABBARD AND LEATHER FROG POSSIBLY “WWI/II USAGE”
This Lebel bayonet offered for auction is a cruciform  - 4-edged - blade Spiked Blade that has been called a  "pigsticker" and known affectionately as “Rosalie” to French troops. This Original designed Lebel bayonet is with scabbard and Frog or Bayonet Hanger.  The Frog is made from Leather with.   The serial number contains two alphabetical letters possibly an S. C. and the number 47414.    It was manufactured to fit the French Model 1886 Lebel Infantry Rifle and saw action in WWI and WWII in various configurations. The original model 1886 was 25 1/8” or “25.12 inches”  “638 mm” in overall length. This one offered for auction total length is “18  inches” “457 mm” which has been shortened from its original length of 25 inches.  At the tip of the blade there are light grind marks.  Most were shortened during their active life.   From research many were shortened due to the thin pointed blade which broke often requiring the blade to be reshaped and or re-sharpened as was this blade due to the light grind marks on the blade and blade length, however from research from 1935 through WWII many French M1886/93/16  bayonets were shortened to 18 inches as is this Lebel Bayonet offered for auction.  The blade length on this bayonet as noted above is 18.  During this time many older bayonets were also shortened.
During WWII the Germans also shortened both types of Épée-Baïonnettes “English” (Sword Bayonets) to an overall length of 460mm (18.11) with a blade length of 342mm (13.46) for usage with their occupation forces. The Épée-Baïonnette Modèle 1886 that were modified by the Germans were to be called the Seitengewehr 102(f) and the Épée-Baïonnette Modèle 1886 Modifié 1915 to be called the Seitengewehr 103(f).
The Original design of the Lebel 1886 had a hooked "blade-breaker" quillon and silver-alloy (white metal) grip/hilt.    The blades were very Fragile and latter issues employed a removable handle to allow for blade replacement as is the design of this Lebel bayonet offered for auction.  Two holes are located on the end plate of the Brass hilt to allow removal of the hilt.  In Janzen’s Notebook (BAYONETS) page 71 Item Number 4 states the following:
French Model 1886/91/16/35 Lebel.  This piece is a shortened version of No. 3 with the Brass Handle.  This was the last version of the Eppe Bayonet and was manufactured during or after 1916.
The bayonets were eventually intended to be replaced by the French Model 1892 Mannlicher-Berthier Bayonet (and infantry rifle)
In summary this is an excellent original with lock functional Model 1886/93/16/35  WWI/II  French  Lebel Rifle Bayonet with and early Leather Frog or Hanger.  From a recent conversation with an ebay member he noted that the frog may be British rather then French.  In my research after this conversation I believe that the Early Frog is most likely of British design of same period as the Lebel Bayonet.    The French called this style an épée bayonet, after the épée sword used in fencing, because of the cruciform cross section of the blade and noted above. The bayonet blade is 13 inches long, total length including grip is 18 inches.  A couple of inspector or armory mark are visible on the blade as noted above.  The lock mechanism works properly, normal age and wear.  It is as received not cleaned. The brass shows old age patina as well as the locking device  as photo shows.  The serial number of the bayonet is as follows - I believe an S.C. in old Script letters as noted above and the following numbers 47414 on the Lebel bayonet.  A couple of marks and or numbers are visible on the scabbard as follows, possibly a 6 C and 48.  The bayonet scabbard has small dent which makes the bayonet scabbard appear to have a bend as photo shows.  As photos show a good portion of the bluing remains on the scabbard. A few areas of flaking of the blue particularly under where the hanger or frog has been for over a 100 years.  The Belt to attach the Frog to the Scabbard is very dry and where it was attached to the bar on the scabbard a tear has occurred opening up half of the hole in the strap to connect to the buckle.   In the ad I have placed a picture from Janzens Notebook “Bayonets” page 71  No. 4 French M. 1886 from Kiesling Vol II no. 410 which I believe is the bayonet offered for auction.  Book not in auction, reference only.  The Lebel Bayonet is with Scabbard and Frog as photos show. Please view photos for condition.
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