Modified for use on a cadet musket or possibly as a movie prop, by shortening the socket length to 1.875 in. (48 mm.). Mounts perfectly to my .577 Caliber Enfield Rifle-Musket.

Similar examples turn up periodically, so were modified in quantity. However, it is not known who altered them (Bannerman, one of the movie houses, or ?).

The socket has been split to adapt the socket to different diameter rifle barrels. Approximately 1/8" has been removed from the socket rear, shortening the socket length from 3 in. (76 mm.) to 2.875 in. (73 mm.).

The "MGM" property marking indicates that this example came from the Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios prop department, the contents of which were sold off in 1969-70.

A challenge faced by all of the major USA movie studios by the 1970s was the inability to expand their footprint to keep pace with the growing amount of TV show production. Los Angles had grown to build out all of the surrounding property. The only way the studios could add more sets and film stages was to eliminate other on-site activities and reclaim the space. Prop and costume departments were some of the first to be eliminated, because of the large amount of space they occupied.

These were obtained from an individual who purchased them, together, from a Los Angeles surplus store during the 1980s. While only one is marked "Fox Studio", both exhibit the same silver paint on the hilts and wear pattern to both the painted surfaces, wood grips, and the blades (which have been burnished from many years of use).

Like MGM, Fox Studio downsized and eventually outsourced their prop department in order to create additional filming studios on their existing property (which could not be expanded).

This cast-aluminum movie prop bayonet is of the type used in elaborate Second World War feature films such as The Longest Day and Stalingrad.

The bayonet and scabbard are a one-piece casting, painted to resemble a German M1884/98 Third Pattern bayonet used with the 8 mm. Mauser Kar 98k rifle.