Dutch, c1904, M1895 Artillery Bayonet, (Mannlicher No.3&4 Carbine), by Hembrug

*Dutch, c1904, M1895 Artillery Bayonet (Mannlicher No.3&4 Carbine), by Hembrug*

41.5cm blade, 53.5 overall

Janzen called this the 1895 artillery carbine.  It is a very scarce bayonet. (Reference: Janzens Notebook 146-2)

T-back sword bayonet designed for the 6.5 mm M1895 Mannlicher No. 3 and No. 4 Carbines. The attachment mechanism closely resembles that employed in the British Pattern 1888 bayonet. Notably lengthy, the bayonet features an approximately 16-inch T-back blade, strategically designed to extend the effective range of the fixed bayonet on the shorter carbine. The M1895 bayonet bears a faint "Hembrug" marking, denoting the trademark of Artillerie Inrichtingen in Zaandam.  Artillerie Inrichtingen began production of these bayonets in 1904, replacing foreign contractors. The crossguard displays a serial number, but only "12 C" is still visible and a crown inspection mark is just discernable on the blade.

In this M1895 artillery variant, the pommel has been rotated 90 degrees. Because the carbine No. 3 was to be carried on the back of a soldier, the pommel (unlike the M1895 rifle bayonet) was turned by a quarter (1/4) in order not to damage the soldiers clothing. During the testing of the M95 rifles, experiments were done with a bayonet that had no grip and was screwed onto the rifle. The artillery bayonet, which was issued in 1904, was a modified version of this. The pommel was to be inserted into the bayonet lug of the M95 artillery carbine with a coiled press stud. The artillery carbine stayed in service until 1938.

*Condition*
This artillery variant is rare to find and the domed rivets make it even rarer. The blade is heavily pitted but the press button still works. This is a rare and interesting find.

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