M1895 Steyr-Mannlicher

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	Weapon: M1895 Steyr-Mannlicher Type: Knife Bayonet Country of Origin: Austria-Hungary Year Adopted: 1895 Overall Length (mm): 360.0 Overall Length (in): 14.17 Weight (kg): 0.60 Weight (pounds): 1.32

The M1895 Steyr-Mannlicher bayonet was designed for use with the Austro-Hungarian Steyr-Mannlicher M1895 straight-pull rifle, one of the standard service rifles of the Austro-Hungarian Empire during World War I. This bayonet features a distinctive design with a long, slender blade typically around 360 mm (14.2 inches) in length, single-edged with a prominent fuller. It includes a hooked quillon crossguard and wooden grip panels riveted to the tang. The bayonet locks into place using a push-button mechanism on the pommel, making it both secure and easy to attach or remove in the field.

Large-scale production of the M1895 bayonet began in the mid-1890s and continued into the early 20th century, with hundreds of thousands manufactured by several key facilities, including Osterreichische Waffenfabriks-Gesellschaft (Steyr) and F.G.GY in Budapest. Due to the sheer size of the Austro-Hungarian Army and the prolonged nature of World War I, the bayonet was produced in multiple variants, some with straight quillons and others with simplified construction to meet wartime demand. Late-war examples were often cruder due to material shortages and production strain.

The M1895 bayonet saw extensive use throughout World War I and continued in service with successor states and during World War II, particularly in countries that inherited Austro-Hungarian arms, such as Austria, Hungary, Yugoslavia, and Bulgaria. Its unique design and association with the iconic straight-pull Mannlicher rifle have made it a distinctive and recognizable piece among collectors. Though largely obsolete by the mid-20th century, the M1895 remains a symbol of Austro-Hungarian military history and is highly valued for its craftsmanship and historical significance.