French commercial contract Gras sword / epee bayonet in issue scabbard by Steyr of Austria.
£225
A scarce French commercial contract Gras sword / epee bayonet in issue scabbard by Steyr of Austria. Hilt with rivet retained walnut grip scales, brass pommel with release catch to the rear left and steel cross guard with hooked quilon to the lower half, struck with serial number to the left side. T section epee blade is signed to the top Waffenfabrik Steyr 1877 for manufacture at the famous Austrian Steyr factory in 1877. In its regulation pattern blued steel scabbard with frog loop to the front. Developed from the heavier brass handled Chassepot Yataghan bayonet the Gras has a lighter blade and wooden scales which made it a good weapon both when fitted to the rifle or as a standalone sword with its sharp pointed epee stabbing blade. 200,000 Gras bayonets were made on contract to the French Government all marked in French ‘Usine de Steyr’ (Machines or Factory of Steyr) along with a much smaller number of these commercial models signed in German ‘Waffenfabrik Steyr’ (Weapons Factory Steyr). In good condition with very good well marked blade, working catch and a good scabbard retaining much blue. A nice and scarce commercial variant of the classic French Pre WW1 bayonet not often seen on the market.
