IRELAND

More pictures from a private Irish collection

FRENCH GRAS converted to fit Vertelli
 
Total length = mm                  Blade length = mm              Blade width =  mm              MRD =  mm                           

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 honor guard blade rather than a dress blade

 

St Etienne 1876 manufacture


FRENCH GRAS converted to fit GEW88
 
Total length = mm                  Blade length = mm              Blade width =  mm              MRD =  mm                           
Ireland Gras hilt.jpg (59174 bytes)Ireland Gras hilt mod.jpg (46555 bytes)Ireland Gras stud mod.jpg (51577 bytes)

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Lock stud extension to allow blade to lock on weapon other than for which it was originally made.


IRISH Mannlicher
 
Total length = mm                  Blade length = mm              Blade width =  mm              MRD =  mm                           

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


IRISH Mannlicher
 
Total length = mm                  Blade length = mm              Blade width =  mm              MRD =  mm                           

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