Very rare Italian M1891 TS Knife Bayonet and Scabbard for use with Mannlicher-Carcano M1891 TS Carbine

*Very rare Italian M1891 TS Knife Bayonet and Torino Scabbard for use with Mannlicher-Carcano M1891 TS Carbine*

The M1891 TS Knife bayonet was designed specifically for use with the 6.5 mm. Mannlicher-Carcano M1891 TS Carbine, also known as the Moschetto Modello 91 per Truppe Speciali or Carbine M1891 for Special Troops. These carbines were originally intended for use by Artillery and Engineers.

This bayonet is meant for the second variant of the M1891 TS Carbine, distinguished by its unique transverse bayonet lug. Unlike conventional bayonets, this one had to be placed over the muzzle of the carbine and then slid sideways onto the bayonet lug from left to right. This arrangement required the bayonet's press stud to be positioned at the rear of the pommel.

It's worth noting that the bayonet is sometimes erroneously referred to as the M1891/97 because the M1891 TS Carbine was first manufactured in 1897. However, this name is incorrect, as the earliest TS Carbines had a conventional bayonet lug. The second variant of the M1891 TS Carbine, with its unique bayonet mounting system, was not introduced until 1900.

This unusual mounting system was not used on subsequent Italian bayonets, nor was anything similar produced by other countries. As a result, many second-variant M1891 TS Carbines were later converted to accept the conventional M1891 bayonet, making surviving examples of the original configuration quite rare today.

Serial number on the cross piece r7509.

30cm blade. No discernable makers marks. It has a leather and brass scabbard, The scabbard is leather with brass ends. It is marked A.S Torino 1935 .

*Condition*
This is a very rare bayonet and given its age, is in excellent condition. The blade is discoloured but unpitted. The grip has some scuffs and scratches as you'd expect. The scabbard also shows age and service related signs of wear and tear but all stitching is in place. Please see photographs as part of the condition report.

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