Original Item. Only one Available. These are extremely scarce and hard to find! This is a bayonet for the Kropatschek Rifle used by the Austro-Hungarian empire during the end of the 19th century. It is marked clearly on the spine with Waffenfabrik Steyr 1881. Österreichische Waffenfabriksgesellschaft, (ŒWG, Austrian Arms-Manufacturing Company), also commonly referred to as Steyr Werke, is a legendary arms producer that still exists today. Steyr is an Austrian City just outside Vienna and at the time was the home of the entire Austrian arms production.
The bayonet has a 20 1/2″ T-Backed blade, with an overall length of 26”. Overall it is very much in the style of the French 1874 Gras bayonet, even down to the brass offset grip with wooden grip panels. The bayonet comes complete with its original steel scabbard.
This example was later modified for WWI to become an “Ersatz” (replacement) or emergency issue bayonet for use with more modern rifles. The hilt was adjusted to fit WWI era rifles, and the muzzle ring was reduced in size for a proper fit.
Please see Watts & White’s fine work THE BAYONET BOOK, Page 95, item 203.
In very good condition, ready to display!
Specifications:
Blade Length: 20 1/2″
Blade Style: T-shaped
Overall length: 25 1/4″
Crossguard: 3 3/4”
Scabbard Length: 21″