French WW1 Lebel Bayonet with Wire Cutting Attachment

The M1886 Label bayonet was the French mainstay during WWI and many were still in service at the Fall of France in 1940. The Lebel also saw extensive use worldwide by native troops in the French colonies.

The M1886 introduced the distinctive cruciform blade, which remained a feature of most French bayonets until 1956.

Wire-cutter attachment for use with the M1886 bayonet.

During the First World War, various devices for cutting barbed wire were developed by the major warring powers. This example was made to slide over the cruciform blade of a M1886 bayonet. As shown in official French instructions, once in place and the bayonet mounted, the user could catch a strand of wire in the device and fire the rifle to sever the wire.

This cutter was designed in 1915 at the French government factory, Atelier de Construction de Bourges (Bourges Construction Workshop), by French artillery officer, Lieutenant Colonel Louis J.F. Filloux. Designated the Système Filloux pour Couper les Fils (Filloux System for Cutting Wire.)

Wire-cutter attachment for use with the M1886 bayonet.
During the First World War, various devices for cutting barbed wire were developed by the major warring powers. This example was made to slide over the cruciform blade of a M1886 bayonet. As shown in official French instructions, once in place and the bayonet mounted, the user could catch a strand of wire in the device and fire the rifle to sever the wire.

There is no scabbard to the bayonet.

Code: 914