French issue Chassepot bayonet in its matching numbers black painted steel scabbard.
£135
French issue Chassepot bayonet in its matching numbers black painted steel scabbard. Ribbed 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 with rubbed serial number to the left side F31069. Fullered single edge Yataghan style blade signed Mre Imp ale de St Ettienne Mai 1867 to the top for manufacture in May 1867 at the French governments Imperial St Etienne armoury, with factory inspection stamps to the rear right side. In its correct steel scabbard stamped with the bayonets serial number to the front side F31069 and suspension bar to the rear. Designed to fit on the Model 1866 Chassepot rifle these bayonets also fit onto the later Gras rifle although a lighter and slimmer ‘epee’ 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. In good condition with good clean blade, working catch and a nice issue scabbard.
