What did I just find?

[paladin1919]

I not sure what this is but that's why I picked it up. Purchased from guy via Craigslist this morning; no pertinent back story.

From what I can tell it is a socket, or maybe more appropriately called a spike bayonet due to lack of a a bore? Length from elbow to tip of blade is ~51cm and the length of the... what should I call it... adapter?, connector piece?... the whatever is 8cm.
The pics will show that there is "L J" on the top of the blade just in front of the shoulder and a "C" on the underside of the connector piece.
It came with the part of a worn black leather scabbard with one brass piece remaining.

I would like to find out:
What country of origin?
What rifle it is from?
Or maybe if it is from a shotgun or some larger bore weapon were a conventional socket bayonet would not be practical?
Was it worth the $20 gamble?

As always fellas, any help is appreciated.
Pal

[Walkwolf]

I am guessing that it is 1800's and European, and I think
it was well worth the $20 you paid.........!

[Richie B]

Pal

Found it in Le Nouvel Atlas de la Baionotte de Collection by Jean Vial p 3092 ref 1287.

Identified as Swiss - no exact Model identification.

A number of similar models used by them including one used by the troops of the Canton of Vaud in 1838.

I would guess this dates from around the same time period.

Never seen one on sale before.

$20 well spent I think.

Regards

Richie

[paladin1919]

Thanks for the info. That's pretty amazing... I am more than a little surprised. It just became the coolest thing in my collection (at least for this week). Definitely the oldest bayonet I own.

Pal