VERY SCARCE**French Model 1886 /90 Gendarmarie Lebel Bayonet With Correct Slotted White Metal Hilt For Gendarme Issue , Cruciform Blade, Scabbard and Leather Frog. Bayonets

**VERY SCARCE**French Model 1886 /90 Gendarmarie Lebel Bayonet With Correct Slotted White Metal Hilt For Gendarme Issue , Cruciform Blade, Scabbard and Leather Frog. Sn 20110 - 20110

This is a very scarce Lebel bayonet with a white metal hilt, down swept quillon and a round button catch (see the Bayonet Book by White and Watts item no. 205 on pages 85 and 96 and Martin Brayley, An Illustrated History of Bayonets, pages 71 – 73 for M1886 bayonet and page 97 item 211 of the Bayonet Book for M1890 Gendarmarie bayonet). This is an early model with the hilt fixed permanently to the tang, whereas later models had removable hilts with a screw nut fixing to the end of the hilt. The blade is the usual Lebel 20 ½” cruciform shape and the scabbard is white metal which is slotted for gendarmerie issue similar to the M1890 Gendarmarie Bayonet which does not have the push button catch at the cross guard found on the M1886. The frog is the standard French leather version with large double belt loop and retaining strap with brass buckle and these are becoming scarce. The price includes U.K. delivery. Sn 20110

£495.00