This is a French Model 1886 bayonet that was probably captured early in the War and reissued to a battalion stationed in the rear. The use of captured equipment by rear echelon troops was a fairly common practice.

Close up the unit mark is in last posted picture.

Unusual shaped bayonet blade used on this model. This bayonet was designed to be used on the French Label rifle.

Qullion with original Fench serial number. There is a letter P in a circle to the left of the number.

Tip of the blade and the scabbard's ball finial

Round throat opening on the scabbard. The scabbard doesn't have matching Fench serial numbers. There are no German unit marks on it.

A small historical footnote:

The Franco-Prussian war was in 1871, so it might have been difficult to capture a Model 1886 bayonet during that conflict

Try looking for another conflict where perhaps the Germans were fighting an enemy who bought their arm from France ?

Dave

German Imperial Army unit mark on the silver colored alloy handle.
23.T.B.10.21.
Field Bakery Column, 23rd Battalion

Dave

Your correct as to the dates being off. It was probably taken early in WW I and then reissued.

Joe

According to Carter's Vol.III., the M.1886 Lebel Rifle and bayonet were by far the most captured weapon on the western front, so this example was most likely captured and then reissued as has been noted. However, there were also surplus bayos possibly purchased by the Germans in the beginning of the war, and they carried large stocks of everything you could imagine, so it is possible that this was acquired in this fashion.

Of course, the M.1866 Chassepot was the only bayonet that was captured or acquired as a result of the Franco Prussian war.

This is the first example I have seen with this unit marking though. Most of the examples I have seen have had Landsturm or Artillery markings. It didn't always have to be issued with its rifle, as it was also issued as a sidearm to some units.

Nice find!