backwards blade on Mauser bayonet?

[Kaylee]

Hi!

I got a quick question for y'all. My grandfather brought back a bayonet from WWII European Theater -- looks like a Mauser type. The thing is.. it looks like the blade is backwards from those I've seen pictures of before.

Basically -- if the bayonet was mounted on the rifle, the edged half of the blade would be "inside" towards the rifle, the dull-edged half with the fuller on the "outside." This looks like it would be ideal for an upwards thrust, but wouldn't slash worth a darn. Make sense?

Is this a typical variant? If so, what was the logic to it?

-K

 

[Bobwhite]

I had one of each style. The one like you are talking about was a bit longer, 2" if I remember. I don't think they are any more rare though. As to what kind of tactical advantages one would have over the other, I don't know either. I did wonder about it myself though and would like to see a definative answer.