French issue chrome plated Chassepot bayonet in its issue matching numbers plated steel scabbard.
£185
An unusual and interesting French issue chrome plated Chassepot bayonet in its issue matching numbers plated steel scabbard. Ribbed chrome plated brass grip with release button to the left rear is fitted with a hooked quilon cross guard struck with various French issue and inspection marks. Fullered single edged unplated Yataghan blade signed Mle de Armes de St Etienne 1870 to the top for manufacture at the French governments famous St Etienne armoury in 1870. In its correct pattern chrome plated steel scabbard which is serial numbered to the bayonet. Designed to fit on the Model 1866 Chassepot rifle these bayonets also fit onto the later Gras rifle although a lighter and slimmer pattern was officially adopted for the new rifle. A typical sword bayonet of the time it was like the British rifle regiments Yataghans designed to work both as a bayonet and a short sword, but like the British weapon was not ideal for either purpose, and later bayonets were made shorter and lighter to make them more practical when fitted to the rifle for fighting. While chrome plating of bayonets for dress or parade use was common with the British army this is the first French issue plated bayonet I have seen. In good condition with clean blade and scabbard with good clear issue markings in a matching numbers scabbard retaining much of its original chrome plate.
