M1871 Bayonet
(first pattern with round mortise slot)
To be fixed on the Beaumont Rifle
Above: M1871 F.P. with Scabbard
(G. Priest collection)
Below: M1871 F.P. KNIL bayonet (E.G. Muetstege
collection)
The M1871 (first pattern) bayonet was produced to be fixed on the Beaumont model 71/79 rifle and the Beaumont model 71/88 rifle.
Above: Dutch M1871/79 Beaumont rifle (collection
Dutch Army
Museum)
Below: Dutch M1871/88 Beaumont rifle
It has a quadrangular shaped blade. The only difference between the first pattern and the second pattern is that the second pattern have a locking ring with two tightening screws, while the first pattern have only one tightening screw.
This bayonet was also used by the Royal Netherlands East-Indies Army (KNIL) during the Atjeh War. The way you can identify a M1871 from a M1871 "KNIL" is that the KNIL versions were browned overall.
Many bayonet collectors think that the double screw locking ring was the initial one (first pattern) and that the one with a single screw was a later version (second pattern), this however is not true! The locking ring (or 'storm ring') was initially more or less the same as that of the Snider bayonet. In June 1875 it was decided by the Department of War that the iron storm ring of the Beaumont bayonet from would be made out of steel and out of two parts which would be connected with two screws. This would make it easier to repair than the older storm ring which was made completely out of one iron part and one screw. Around the same time it was also decided to make the 'collar' of the bayonet also out of steel (instead of iron). The KNIL also adopted this adjustment in 1877.
Dimensions
Overall Length: 579 mm
Blade length: 510 mm
Socket Length: 68,5 mm
Socket (inside) Diameter: 17,6 mm (front side) & 18,1 mm (rear side)
M1871 (first pattern) Bayonet Collection:
