French M1892 Chromed Mannlicher Berthier 1st Pattern Bayonet
Single-fullered straight blade, riveted black composition grips (meaning that this is the 1st pattern, the 2nd pattern having wood grips). The blade has notches near the hilt which engage with a mechanism locking the blade into the scabbard. Steel scabbard, black leather frog. Hilt with muzzle ring overlapping the grip and a hooked quillon. Many M1892 bayonets had the quillon removed during WW1 – this example remains intact and original.
Bayonet and scabbard are both numbered but are non-matching, indicating a replacement or swap during its service life. No other markings.
All metal parts on this example have been chromed for parade use, with black grips, scabbard and frog for a two-tone effect. The chrome finish is excellent, with a line of wear on the blade where it rubs against the scabbard retaining spring. The scabbard was painted black over its original blueing – this has worn with use with only small areas of gloss black paint remaining, some wear also to the blueing and areas of light pitting. The leather frog has only very light rubbing and no loss of stitching.
