This bayonet is based on the French M1850 Marine bayonet bayonet. See Keisling #62, 782, 783. My bayonet differs from the military model in several respects. The most important difference is in the locking mechanism. The military version had it's locking mechanism on the side of the socket near the shank. My bayonet was fitted with a simple spring catch on the socket joint between the two barrels. The spring is now broken. Another difference is that my bayonet is longer than the official version. Also, the shape of the shank/blade joint is different. This bayonet is in near relic condition and was acquired in Paris. My thanks to Pierre Renoux for helping with my identification of this bayonet.
The dimensions are as follows: Overall length 369 mm; Blade length 301; Blade width 25; Blade thickness 6; Socket length 68; Inside diameter 21.5 (each barrel); Outside diameter 26; Shank length 27.
