P-1888, rare maker??

[Steve1871]

I found a P1888 for sale, poor condition overpriced by maker - Braendlin Armoury. Is this a rare maker? Price is just over $700 USD

Seems like way too much, anyone know. My book 12 inches of Imperial Steep is at home, no able look up

[shippingsteel]

Yes Steve they are quite scarce, but they were never an official British military item, so never Army issue. They were a "Commercial" bayonet ie. made for sale to the trade ... they never got a War Department contract etc.

See my previous post on this thread ...

https://www.greatwarforum.org/topic/151202-pattern-1888-bayonets/page/5/

Seems like a lot of money in that condition, but some people chase that type of "non-typical" example because it is different.

Cheers,  SS

[Steve1871]

Thanks SS, great help there

[trajan]

SS is on the ball with the basic ID! Here's some more, to suggests a possible date for this piece...

VERY little seems to be known about the company, based at 1-3 Lower Lovejoy St., Birmingham (1871-1889), when it went bankrupt and was liquidated, with London trade offices at 63 Cornhill (1885-95) and 13-14 Abchurch La. ( 1896-98), these being run by Greener's after liquidation. They were basically gun part-makers for the Birmingham gun makers, marking their products with the crossed pennants over a 'B', but they did produce their own M-H sporters and military rifles, including M-H carbines. They also made cavalry swords! The date of liquidation suggests they only made 1888's in 1889, unless it was a Greener commercial product given the Braedlin mark as a well-established firm! 

Julian

[Steve1871]

Thanks Julian. You must have a heck of a library to come up with that info. Will have to get one of those someday. Was just too expensive for me at the time. Again, great job!