French Lebel model 1886 rifle bayonet quill handle, recovered from the area of the Thiaumont Redoubt, west of Fort Douaumont the June-October 1916 battlefield in Verdun.

This is a lovely condition French Lebel model 1886 rifle bayonet quill handle which means it was made before 1916. The blade is missing most of its blade it has snapped off but the handle is complete. It has its lovely original colours and is a very nice relic in solid condition, which has been nicely cleaned and is perfect for display or any collection.The bayonet handle was recovered from the area of the Thiaumont Redoubt, west of Fort Douaumont the June-October 1916 battlefield in Verdun.The bayonet comes with an A5 laminated information card.

On the 12th June 1916, this entrenched French position was a part of the terrain forming a salient west of Fort Douaumont, known as the "Thiaumont Redoubt".The Germans, planned to capture this location prior to launching their main offensive on the 23rd June 1916. The Germans captured the redoubt eventually after many weeks of fighting and massive casualties on both sides. On the 19th August they finally cleared the redoubt of all French soldiers then they fortified it and it was on the 24th October 1916 that it was finally retaken again by the French Army.