English M1878 Garrison Artillery bayonet (ABCN1899-1907)(K0)(BCB185)(JN51-2)

Martini-Henry Artillery carbine MkI. No serial number. Superb bright finished fullered yataghan blade. German makers logo: Crowned Kings head(=Weyersberg-Solingen) on ricasso. On the reverse side: /I\  over  WD and Solingen inspection mark: Crown over S over 12. Blade spine is marked: R Crown over BR over 8 (= Birmingham Repair mark) and Solingen inspection mark: S over 8. Bright finished pommel with obsolete mark and T slot, marked: S over 8 on the mortise slot and two Birmingham repair marks: BR over 13 and BR over 14. External spring; length 64 mm. Crossguard for a Band on the Barrel carbine with a muzzle ring with cock comb, bushed from 20 mm to MRD 18 mm. Quillon with round finial at the opposite. Excellent checkered black leather grips, secured to the blade tang by 4 steel pins.
Very good steel artillery scabbard with clear Enfield inspection marking; E over Crown over 11,  WD and /I\. A few minor dents towards the scabbard tip only. Oval frog stud

The rare M 1878 Garrison Artillery bayonet is a M 1858 artillery bayonet, converted for the Martini Henry carbine Mk I by bushing the muzzle ring from 20 to 18 mm. (Not 17.5 mm!) and machining down the mortise slot. Not that many kept the scarce steel scabbard. Also see: Ian Skennerton's book; British and Commonwealth bayonets, items B149 and B185
Rare bayonet!