Belgian M 1889 long bayonet, US Made for Hopkins & Allen by PLUMB. (ABCN912)(K290)(JN17-3)

US made Belgian Mauser M 1889 rifle. No serial number. Superb long bright finished fullered blade with American maker's name: HOPKINS & ALLEN, ARMS Co, Norwich Conn, U.S.A. crisp on the ricasso. The subcontractors name: PLUMB on the crossguard. Minty bright finished pommel with T-slot and crossguard with quillon and muzzle ring; MRD 17,3 mm. Minty wooden grips secured with two Belgium type fastener screws to the blade tang. 
No scabbard. During WWI, the majority of these bayonets of this contract were delivered to Belgium without a scabbard!

On August 4, 1915 during WWI, Belgium made a contract with Hopkins & Allen, Norwich, Conneticut, USA for 140.000 M 1889 rifles and 10.000 carbines. However in 1916 Hopkins & Allen went bankrupt. Sub contractors like PLUMB (= Fayette R. Plumb Co., St. Louis - Missouri.) took over parts of the production. At that moment only a small part of the order was produced and delivered. What was finally delivered and if it was ever complete, is unknown. May be that is also the reason why this bayonet is seldom found with a scabbard. The delivery was simply not completed.

Over the years we have had several Hopkins & Allen made bayonets, but not a single one with a scabbard!
These well made bayonets are quite rare, special with the subcontractors name of PLUMB on the ricasso. They often form a slot in a collection of Belgium bayonets.