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Originally Posted by TVV
My bayonet books are at home and I am stuck at work on MLK day (sigh), so I am not sure what it is, but it does not look like a Chassepot or Gras bayonet, which is what I would have expected given the strong French presence in this part of the world from the mid 19th to the mid 20th centuries. It could be from the Berthier-Mannlicher rifle (M1892), as the blade is obviously straight with a single, wide fuller. It most certainly is not from the Spanish long M1893 Mauser bayonet.
Now, the question is, has the French Foreign Legion ever been armed with Berthier-Mannlicher rifles? If the answer is yes, then maybe we have identified the blades.
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Outstanding Teodor! You're doing pretty good from memory there!
I think we should consider not only the French we were obviously highly concentrated in the Sahara, and as you have considered, the Spanish, but through trade and other means the presence of British and German weaponry was also prevalent.
All the best,
Jim