A French Gras modified to fit the Vertelli rifle as supplied to the UVF - along with similar bayonets modified to fit the GEW88
Rivets have been ground flush after refitting grips after plating
Slot shows evidence of having been mounted on a rifle several times and is thought to be a honour guard blade rather than a dress blade
St Etienne 1876 manufacture
Gras modified for UVF (Ulster Volunteer Force) for GEW 88 during rebellion
Shaved hilt of Gras
Lock stud extension to allow blade to lock on weapon other than for which it was originally made.
Rumanian made Irish Mannlicher, from the 10,000 made for the UVF, this UVF is not the same as the paramilitary UVF of the later Irish problems
Humpbacked grips of the 1893/1904 Rumanian. The 1893 has the Rumanian eagle on the pommel the 1904 hasn't this is the only variation between the two models
OEWG makers mark on the ricasso shows Austrian Steyr manufacture of bayonets supplied to Rumanian for onward sale
3 digit serial on the cross guard is typical of those on the UVF blades and is usually the only marking. The UVF red hand was applied locally and most are unmarked
1904 or "Irish Mannlicher" part of a contract for 10,000 blades supplied to the UVF in Northern Ireland
Austrian made but supplied through Rumania
lack of Rumanian markings indicates that this is the 1904 not the 1893 which is otherwise identical
3 digit serial typical of the Irish contract blades