A French Model 1936 "Spike" Bayonet for the MAS-36 Rifle, WWII Era.

A French Model 1936 "Spike" Bayonet for the MAS-36 Rifle, WWII Era. This original French Model 1936 spike bayonet, often termed "Le Clou" by infantrymen, represents a quintessential example of mid-20th-century European military engineering designed for the MAS-36 bolt-action rifle. Diverging from the traditional knife-style blades of the era, this specimen features a slender, cruciform-section blade forged from tempered steel, optimized for structural integrity and penetrating efficiency in close-quarters combat. A hallmark of the MAS-36 design, the bayonet was engineered to be stored reversed within a tubular housing beneath the rifle's barrel, reflecting the minimalist and functional aesthetic of French ordnance during the Second World War. The hilt consists of a solid steel plug featuring a knurled central band for manual purchase and a spring-loaded locking plunger designed to secure the weapon in either the combat or storage position. The piece exhibits a utilitarian matte finish characteristic of military-issue equipment produced during the 1940s campaign. Measuring approximately 43 cm in total length. The item is in good condition.