Austro-Hungarian Empire. An Austrian-made Kropatschek Bayonet by Steyr for Export to Portugal

This bayonet features a 470 mm long steel blade, magnetic, incorporating a bright finish along with a semi-sharp blade and a very sharp tip, the fuller running almost the full length of the bayonet on both sides, marked with a stylized X-like insignia penetrated by a horizontal rule (Portuguese export mark) in the centre on the reverse ricasso, the spine engraved in running script "Steyr 1886." beside the crossguard. The blade is embedded into the heavy steel crossguard that is designed with a ring with tab at one end for placement upon the barrel of a rifle, the other end with a round quillon, with wooden plates with a dark finish embedded onto either side of the handle and held in place via two rivets, the steel pommel with knob and mortise slot to receive the rifle, the bayonet measuring 600 mm in length overall. The bayonet is housed in its black-finished magnetic metal steel scabbard, the throat secured in place by a single rivet and stamped "D322" beside the rivet, the end point finished in a ball finial, incorporating a large L-shaped frog stud on the reverse that is stamped with an insignia above "WO", the scabbard measuring 485 mm in length. The blade exhibits light scratches overall, common to extraction and return to the scabbard, the bayonet with contact marks, moderate surface wear and rust present on the steel portions, the scabbard with a few contact marks, is free of dents and maintains its original finish. Fine.