French Army Lebel Model 1886 Bayonet and Scabbard

The French Army Lebel Model 1886 Bayonet and Scabbard is a military edged weapon designed for use with the Fusil Modèle 1886 “Lebel” rifle, the standard infantry rifle of France during the First World War. The bayonet features a long, slender cruciform blade measuring approximately 20.5 inches (52 cm), offering deep penetration capability. The hilt has a hooked quillon, designed to catch or deflect an enemy’s blade in close combat. The handle is typically constructed from brass, with a locking mechanism that secures the bayonet to the rifle’s lug. The accompanying steel scabbard provides protection for the blade and ease of carriage, commonly showing a blued finish for corrosion resistance. This bayonet represents a distinctive element of late 19th and early 20th-century French military equipment, widely issued to French troops throughout World War I and also used in later conflicts.