Italian M 1891 bayonet transformed for British SMLE MK 3. rifle and Italian Navy used.(ABCN551)(K0)(JN0)
British SMLE MK3 rifle. No serial number. Excellent Italian plumb finished fullered M 1891 blade. Excellent short and more heavy and higher blued pommel and crossgard with a short quillon with ball final and a large muzzle ring MRD 16.5 mm. Crossguard is marked RI in an oval. Short mortise and T-slot in pommel. Minty wooden grips riveted to the blade tang. blade tangs shows an Italian inspection marking and a number: 6 (9?)
Excellent black leather scabbard, /I\ marked, with a blued British Po.7 chape and a steel Italian top mount, both blued and black painted. All stitches intact and no dents to the fittings.
Total length 42,1 cm. / Scabbard length 32,5 cm.
After WWII, the UK supplied Italy with only a small number of SMLE rifles, which the Italians issued to the Italian Navy and used only for a short period.
The Italians altered their old M 1891 Carcano bayonets for use with these rifles by replacing the crossguard by one with a larger muzzle ring and a different pommel and coupled it with a modified British Po.7 scabbard.
Very rare and interesting bayonet.