A very scarce Polish marked Mle 1886/15 Lebel (or Berthier) bayonet, purchased from the French in 1919, as modified by the Germans who designated this model, modified or not, the S103(f). The Germans shortened the blade to 342mm and the scabbard to 362mm for an overall length of 480mm. A domed end piece was riveted on the end of the shortened scabbard. The original French serial number on the bayonet was removed and a new one added. The in-the-white blade has been polished, I assumed post war, but the new serial number is crisp and appears to be over the polishing so who knows when it was done. A matching serial number was added to the scabbard, the scabbard reblued, and then painted. You often see these bayonets mounted in slightly modified Yugo 1924 frogs, and I'd kill to find one.
The S102(f) is the designation for the Mle 1886, an earlier design with a hooked quillion. Modifications for the 102 were the same in all respects. Now I just need a Kru1 Lebel to go with it.
Also attached is a page from an original German document showing instructions for modification. Does anybody know which document these drawings come from? I have another page from this same document for the S104(h) and would love to find the rest of them. Perhaps there are drawings for rifle mods to be found in it?
The S102(f) is the designation for the Mle 1886, an earlier design with a hooked quillion. Modifications for the 102 were the same in all respects. Now I just need a Kru1 Lebel to go with it.
Also attached is a page from an original German document showing instructions for modification. Does anybody know which document these drawings come from? I have another page from this same document for the S104(h) and would love to find the rest of them. Perhaps there are drawings for rifle mods to be found in it?
