Thouvenin bayonet - Shooting Prize
Engraved on the blade:
Société des Chasseurs Eclaireurs de Liège
Concour(s) du 7 au 14 mai 1865
2me Classe, 1er prix de tir remporté par
le Chasseur Léon Collette de la 2ème Compagnie.
This is the bayonet for the model 1848 Chasseurs rifle, known as Thouvenin Rifle. (See page 132 of the Blue Bible, the catalog published by the Communal Credit at the time of the expo on the Belgian regulation weapons).
Unfortunately I do not own the rifle, but I own the “classic” bayonet : it is worth 250 EURO, IF you still can find it at this price… but that would surprise me.
The bayonet you photographed is obviously exceptional, would this only be because of the faulty spelling ….(Concour without “S”)
Oscar
Rifle model 1848
This weapon (in fact a rifle since it's ''rifled') corresponds, point by point, to a THOUVENIN system model 1848 Rifle
The lock is of the back-action type .
The barrel featuring four helicoidal grooves 2 mm wide, also presents an almost flattened cone external form.The Caliber is 17,5 mm.
At the back/bottom of the chamber a cylindrical steel rod 29mm long is attached.
The breech carries the nipple as well as the rear-sight with ladder.
The stock is made of walnut. The mountings are made of iron and the butt plate ends with a Swiss type heel. The end of the barrel is reinforced by a metal cap.
The ramrod is heavier than that of the infantry rifle to facilitate the forcing of the ball; the head of the ramrod is like a flattened cone and countersunk.
This weapon weighs 4,827 kg and 1,28 m long.
The sabre-bayonet measures 60 cm, has two fullers, with a grooved brass handle, and the black leather scabbard is mounted in brass
The rearsight with an elevation bar appears to be conform to the regulation model.
I don’t know the meaning of FT in an oval and I notice the absence of any Liège or MAE proof house stamps.??
GG
Many thanks to the "ROYAL ARMY MUSEUM" Bruxelles for the pictures.
(N° identification : 210/193 Collection of "Comte de Ribaucourt")
Photos Littlegun
The 1848 Regulation Short Rifle
Or offered as such, because it does not have the famous rearsight with cursor like the regulation model . I don't know if it is rifled or not?
The weapon is marked at the breech with the stamp AR crowned 45, probably the mark of controller of the “Manufacture d’Armes de l’Etat” and the date 1845!
I see a “PERRON” stamp meaning the gun has been inspected . This ''Perron'' stamp was in use since 1853.
GG
Photos Littlegun
